Free State High fall sports get underway

Pictured from left are Free State High senior fall sports athletes: Alyssa Raye, tennis; Grace Bartle, gymnastics; Marlee Yost-Wolff, cross country; Paige Corcoran, volleyball; Owen Heffernan, cross country; Shane Hofer, football; Carson Gilliland, soccer; and Emily Bermel, golf.

Pictured from left are Free State High senior fall sports athletes: Alyssa Raye, tennis; Grace Bartle, gymnastics; Marlee Yost-Wolff, cross country; Paige Corcoran, volleyball; Owen Heffernan, cross country; Shane Hofer, football; Carson Gilliland, soccer; and Emily Bermel, golf.

The rising temperatures might have caused a few adjustments in practice schedules, but games, matches and tournaments are quickly approaching.

Free State’s girls golf season began Tuesday, while the rest of the teams will wait until at least next week.

Some teams are excited with returning depth and experience, and others are hoping newcomers can jump into new roles smoothly.

Here is a look at what all of the Firebirds’ programs expect out of the upcoming season:

Football

Free State’s football team will have to replace a lot of talent from last year’s graduating class, but players and coaches are confident they have the pieces to surprise anyone who thinks they will take steps backward this season.

The Firebirds, who went 9-2 last year before losing in the second round of the playoffs, return seniors Scott Frantz, Shane Hofer and Coleman Houk on the offensive line, and senior Joel Spain, junior Bryce Torneden and senior Andrew Keating in the secondary. Torneden will also be the starting quarterback.

There’s also a talented backfield with seniors Carson Bowen and Joe Lane, while senior Josiah LeBrun adds plenty of experience on the defensive line.

“We should be competitive with everyone in the league,” 18th-year coach Bob Lisher said. “(We) may take a few lumps early because of our inexperience and brutal schedule. Overall, I feel very comfortable with who we have.”

The tough schedule includes Sunflower League favorite Olathe North in Week Two, followed by Lawrence High in Week Three.

The Firebirds open the season on the road against Shawnee Mission West at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4.

Cross Country

After Free State’s girls’ cross-country team captured its first state title in program history, the Firebirds are cautious about any guarantees, but they aren’t backing down from the challenge of repeating at state.

The girls team returns sophomore state champion Emily Venters, senior Allyson Hertig, juniors Claire Sanner and Liv Lyche, and sophomore Kiran Cordes. The Firebirds also have high hopes that Rachel Witt can make a strong impact this fall.

The boys have a strong core of seniors: Ryan Liston, Thomas Becker, Connor Ballenger, Cole Stallard and Curtis Zicker; along with juniors Ethan Donley and Tanner Hockenbury.

“Both teams are relying on large number of seniors who have four years of experience,” coach Steve Heffernan said. “This will help us continue to build on the success we have had the past couple of years.”

The heat has forced the Firebirds to be patient and scale back their training in the first few weeks.

“Our season has started a little slower but will build as we head toward mid-October,” Heffernan said.

The season starts September 4.

Gymnastics

The Firebirds’ gymnastics team has won state championships in two of the last three years, and the gymnasts are confident they can make a strong run at another title this season.

What gives second-year coach Brooke Kissinger confidence FSHS can repeat?

“We have three of our girls from our state team, and we have gained an awesome gymnast to be a part of the team,” Kissinger said.

Free State returns seniors Grace Bartle, Carrie Howland and Haley Johnson, while looking for newcomer Callie Hicks to make a big impact. Bartle was the 2013 state champion in the balance beam and floor exercise and runner-up overall.

Free State begins its season on Sept. 11 at the Lawrence High quadrangular.

Boys soccer

Free State’s boys soccer team has good reason to be excited about this upcoming season: The Firebirds have plenty of senior leadership.

The Firebirds have 15 seniors, and they hope their experience translates to wins on the field, instead of relying on just a few players.

“We think it’s going to have to be a collective thing this year,” coach Kelly Barah said. “We truly, truly haven’t gotten into thinking about any individual who is going to help us out, especially with a group of 15 seniors.”

Free State had trouble scoring at times last year, shut out in 10 games, but the players are focused about moving the ball as a team to score goals.

“We truly are trying to sell the whole team concept,” Barah said. “If we can play that way, we all hustle to the ball like we’re trying to do as a team, we should be good. That’s what we’ve been preaching since Day One.”

The Firebirds will play host to Lansing in their season-opener on Sept. 11.

Girls golf

The FSHS girls golf team opened the season with a fourth-place finish at the Mill Valley Invitational on Tuesday, and the Firebirds are excited to improve on those results throughout the rest of the season.

The Firebirds finished 11th at the Class 6A state tournament last year, qualifying the entire varsity team, and they bring back five varsity players: seniors Emily Bermel, Karen Campbell, Catie Griffin and Erin Meyers, and sophomore Anne Goebel.

“We’ve got some good leadership,” second-year coach Layne Meyer said.

The Firebirds only had three days of practice before their season-opening tournament and were happy with their strong start.

They will return to the links on Sept. 16 for the Shawnee Mission South Invitational.

Girls tennis

Free State’s girls tennis team is without Alexis Czapinski, who finished second at state last year, but fifth-year coach Oather Strawderman is happy with a strong group of returners.

Seniors Taylor Hawkins and Alyssa Raye, along with juniors Caitlin Dodd and Rachel Walters, all have state-tournament experience in singles or doubles.

“(The four returners) are not going to be satisfied with just qualifying this year,” Strawderman said, “but (they) have the drive and ability to make the second day of state and medal.”

The Firebirds are hoping also hoping to get strong contributions from senior Berit Conway, sophomore Andrea Chen and freshman Ali Dodd this season.

They will open the season in the Junction City quadrangular on Sept. 4 at 3 p.m.

Volleyball

After starting the season with an 8-11 record last year, Free State’s volleyball team lost 12 of its next 17 matches.

The Firebirds are eager to put any of last season’s woes behind them, as they return a few starters and have several players who can play multiple positions.

“Lots of height, good blocking, good defense,” coach Nancy Hopkins said to summarize the team.

The Firebirds bring back senior libero Paige Corcoran and sophomore middle blocker Naomi Hickman, while hoping for a strong season out of Payton Gannaway.

Free State starts its season on Sept. 4 in the Lansing triangular.