WRITER: David Rodish

Douglas County athletes compete, medal in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Ten local athletes competed in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games last week in Minnesota, with some athletes coming home with medals. Jennifer Goff competed in bocce alongside Scott Ball from Pittsburg. On Monday, the doubles team won three matches for Kansas in the round robin, starting with a 4-3 win before a 6-4 and a 7-4 win. Goff and Ball lost their final match of the day 9-2 to a Wyoming team. On the ...

Senior Spotlight: Lawrence's Curry relishes role as offensive, defensive weapon

Ever since Ethan Curry’s freshman year with Lawrence football, it’s been a challenge to keep him off the field. Whether that’s on punt returns, as a slot receiver, as a running back or as a safety, Curry has made himself indispensable, no matter the situation the Lions face. “It's awesome anytime you have the ball, you're able to fly around and make plays,” Curry said. “I love the opportunity to ...

Free State, Lawrence girls basketball teams developing with summer camps, tournaments

The Free State and Lawrence girls basketball programs are heading into the 2026-27 season with young rosters once again, but both teams are taking advantage of the summer to grow together. Lawrence girls basketball succeeded last season in large part due to the team’s passing and ball movement. To start this summer, the team went back to the basics as they shook off the rust from not having played together ...

Free State volleyball coach Savage steps down to take over assistant principal position

Jayme Savage has been around Free State since she was 13 and has spent 18 years with the school’s volleyball program, first as an assistant for nine years and the last seven as head coach. But with Savage taking over Free State’s open assistant principal position, Savage is stepping away from leading the program she’s been involved with for nearly two decades. “There's never a good time to have those ...

Free State running back Brittingham commits to Air Force

When Maddon Brittingham is on the football field, he’s running through someone. It doesn’t matter if the Free State senior is at wide receiver, safety or running back — the latter being the position he’s found a home in — he’s a physical player who likes to punish defenses over and over until they can stop him. “I've never been a super flashy guy, so just being able to have the ball in my hand ...

Senior Spotlight: Free State's Moore looks to lead, win in final year with Firebirds

Finn Moore’s up and working out at 6:45 a.m. with the Free State football team, and later in the day, he’s at baseball practice with his club team. When he’s not lifting or practicing, he’s often at baseball tournaments. It’s a busy summer for Moore, who is gearing up for one final year at Free State, but it’s all worth it. Moore wants to win with his longtime teammates before their time together ...