The Lawrence High boys swimming and diving team had a special rhythm going on the way to a convincing win in its home invitational Thursday.

The Lions were pitch perfect while singing the national anthem before the Lawrence Invitational, and nearly perfect in the water, winning eight of 12 events and beating out second-place Shawnee Heights by 193 points for the team title.

LHS was led by a freshmen trio of Stephen Johnson, Isaac Springe and Alex Heckman, who combined to win four individual events and the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

“It’s really cool,” Johnson said. “It’s like the year of the freshmen.”

Johnson cruised to victories in the 200 and 500 freestyle, beating out Topeka’s Matthew Ricks in both events. The LHS freshman won the 200 by six-plus seconds and the 500 by more than 27 seconds.

Heckman and Springe chipped in by respectively winning the 100 freestyle and 200 IM.

“Our three freshman are really the top swimmers on the team,” LHS coach Kent McDonald said. “We’ve got other swimmers that are good, but those guys are pushing everyone and raise the level up for everyone else on the team.”

While the freshmen dominated the meet, senior Ellis Springe, brother of Isaac, also had his time to shine. The elder Springe was one of three Lions to be honored on Senior Night, and he celebrated with a victory in the 50 freestyle.

“I had been sick for a little while and kind of caught the flu, so I was really aiming to just get through the race without collapsing,” the LHS senior captain said. “I was seeded second to him (Olathe North’s Justin Bright) by about three-tenths of a second, so I knew I needed to drop and having a home-field advantage, I felt I could do that. Even though I didn’t drop, I still won it, so it’s good to see.”

The Lions were successful on the diving board as well with junior Izaiah Bowie winning the 1-meter dive with 259.60 points.

Lawrence High will try to carry over its momentum into the Topeka Invitational Tuesday at the Topeka-Capital Federal Natatorium.

Lawrence High Invitational

Thursday at Lawrence High

Team Scores: Lawrence High 456, Shawnee Heights 263, Topeka High 243, Olathe North 202, Topeka West 155.

Lawrence High Results:

200 medley relay – 2. Alex Heckman, Isaac Springe, Chase Odgers, Ellis Springe, 1:53.42; 6. Patrick Oblon, Guillermo Hernandez, Raymond Faith, Hunter Boehle, 2:02.07; 8. Josh Axlund, Noah Kucza, Elliott Abromeit, Nick Steichen, 2:14.61.

200 freestyle – 1. Stephen Johnson, 1:50.98; 4. Matt Ramaley, 2:13.17; 6. Jakob Busch, 2:24.04.

200 IM – 1. Isaac Springe, 2:18.00; 3. Chase Odgers, 2:20.38; 8. Elliott Abromeit, 2:46.82.

50 freestyle – 1. Ellis Springe, 24.99; 3. Guillermo Hernandez, 26.31; 5. Hunter Boehle, 26.66; 9. Jack Ryan, 27.02; 11. Matt Ramaley, 27.54; 12. Jared Miller, 27.70; 16. Josh Axlund, 29.20; 17. Nick Steichen, 29.76.

1-meter diving – 1. Izaiah Bowie 259.60; 4. Charlie Carr 156.20; 6. Trysten Dahozy 151.90.

100 butterfly – 2. Chase Odgers, 1:01.42; 3. Guillermo Hernandez, 1:06.21; 6. Raymond Faith, 1:09.80.

100 freestyle – 1. Alex Heckman, 52.77; 4. Patrick Oblon, 58.61; 6. Hunter Boehle, 59.30.

500 freestyle – 1. Stephen Johnson, 5:00.98; 4. Jack Ryan, 6:03.65; 6. Jakob Busch, 6:24.31.

200 freestyle relay – 1. Isaac Springe, Guillermo Hernandez, Ellis Springe, Stephen Johnson, 1:39.45; 3. Elliott Abromeit, Noah Kucza, Matt Ramaley, Jack Ryan, 1:48.67; 7. Jakob Busch, Nick Steichen, Izaiah Bowie, Jared Miller, 1:55.63.

100 backstroke – 2. Alex Heckman, 1:00.37; 4. Patrick Oblon, 1:10.62; 6. Josh Axlund, 1:16.89.

100 breaststroke – 3. Isaac Springe, 1:14.51; 8. Elliott Abromeit,

1:21.52; 10. Noah Kucza, 1:26.56.

400 freestyle relay – 1. Chase Odgers, Alex Heckman, Ellis Springe, Stephen Johnson, 3:39.22; 4. Hunter Boehle, Matt Ramaley, Jack Ryan, Patrick Oblon, 4:00.15; 5. Josh Axlund, Raymond Faith, Jared Miller, Noah Kucza, 4:21.39.