Lawrence swimmers (left to right) Megan Drumm, Maddie Dean and Emily Guo take off in the 100 butterfly on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at LHS.

Three meets, three victories.

It has been a perfect start to the 2019 campaign for the Lawrence High girls swim and dive team. Lawrence claimed its third win in as many meets when it took down Shawnee Mission South, 121-53, during a dual at LHS Thursday afternoon.

But this type of showing was always a possibility for the Lions, who returned plenty of production from last year’s team that finished fourth at the 6A state swim meet and claimed runner-up at the Sunflower League meet.

“Everyone is back,” LHS head coach Kent McDonald said. “We have a really good group of seniors, they came on as freshman and every year they have gotten better. The team is doing really well because of them.”

Lawrence won 10 of the 11 events on the day, including all three relays.

Lawrence junior Megan Drumm races down the lane in the 100 butterfly during a home invitational. March 27, 2019.

Maddie Dean, Marian Frick, Aubrey Fischer and Emily Guo won the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:56.5. Frick, Megan Drumm, Fischer and Madi Heckman posted first in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:45.96. Fischer, Jamie Abernathy, Heckman and Guo clinched first in the 400 freestyle relay with a mark of 3:50.25.

Jones, a senior, won the 200-yard intermediate medley with a time of 2:21.46. Dean posted first in the 100 butterfly with a mark of of 1:03.90, while Guo netted the top spot in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 55.61. Both seniors have helped maintain Lawrence’s recent level of success.

“We have a really strong senior class that has been able to keep momentum going throughout our four years here,” Guo said. “We also have a lot of fast freshmen that are able to get points. Combining those two, I think we have a pretty good chance of doing better than we have in the past.”

LHS sophomore Emily Esparza races down the lane in the 200 intermediate medley during its home invitational on March 27.

The depth is essential, especially in meets like Thursday when many of the key swimmers are trying different events.

Heckman, a sophomore, won the 200 freestyle and 50 freestyle with a time of 2:05.49 and 25.86, respectively. Sophomore Iris Sherron registered first in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:05.68. Frick finished first in the 100 breaststroke with a mark of 1:11.44.

Now, the Lions will find out where they really stand among the state’s best teams. Lawrence will compete in the Olathe Invitational, which features 20 squads, at the Summit Trail Middle School next Friday. The meet is slated to begin at 5 p.m.

“If everyone performs to their potential, I definitely think we can win it,” Dean said.

LAWRENCE 121, SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH 53

Lawrence High School

LHS results

200 yard medley relay: 1. Lawrence (Maddie Dean, Marian Frick, Aubrey Fischer, Emily Guo), 1:56.5; 2. Lawrence (Iris Sherron, Ali Jones, Megan Drumm, Grace Shroyer), 2:04; 5. Lawrence (Lillian Wilson-Lewis, Mara Manoleseu, Brooke Wroten, Lillian Derby), x2:16.69; 6. Lawrence (Ella Williams, Arianna Myers-Arnth, Beth Brandt, Emma-Frances Smith), x2:26.62.

200 yard freestyle: 1. Madi Heckman, 2:05.49; 2. Jamie Abernathy, 2:07.49; 6. Emily Esparza, 3:05.45.

200 yard intermediate medley: 1. Morgan Jones, 2:21.46; 2. Ali Jones, 2:24.33; 4. Anna Marburger, 2:57.82.

50 yard freestyle: 1. Madi Heckman, 25.86; 2. Emily Guo, 25.92; 3. Aubrey Fischer, 26.28; 5. Megan Drumm, x27.75; 6. Brooke Wroten, x27.75; 8. Iris Sherron, x28.76; 10. Lillian Derby x29.63.

Diving: None

100 yard butterfly: 1. Maddie Dean, 1:03.90; 2. Megan Drumm, 1:15.22; 3. Anna Marburger 1:22.12; 4. Lisa Yang, x1:22.72.

100 yard freestyle: 1. Emily Guo, 55.61; 2. Morgan Jones, 58.25; 4. Marian Frick, 59.51; 5. Grace Shroyer, x1:02.06; 9. Lillian Derby, x1:07.82.

500 yard freestyle: 2. Emily Esparza, 7:45.

200 yard freestyle relay: 1. Lawrence (Marian Frick, Megan Drumm, Aubrey Fischer, Madi Heckman), 1:45.96; 2. Lawrence (Morgan Jones, Grace Shroyer, Brooke Wroten, Maddie Dean), 1:51.13; 4. Lawrence (Beth Brandt, Ali Jones, Ella Williams, Lillian Derby), x2:01.16.

100 yard backstroke: 1. Iris Sherron, 1:05.68; 2. Jamie Abernathy, 1:09.05; 6. Lillian Wilson-Lewis, 1:22.48.

100 yard breaststroke: 1. Marian Frick, 1:11.44; 3. Maddie Dean, 1:15.49; 4. Ali Jones, 1:15.51; 6. Mara Manoleseu, x1:23.23; 10. Arianna Myers-Arnth, x1:37.78; 12. Ana Lopez, x1:46.94.

400 freestyle relay: 1. Lawrence (Aubrey Fischer, Jamie Abernathy, Madi Heckman, Emily Guo), 3:50.25; 2. Lawrence (Morgan Jones, Grace Shroyer, Iris Sherron, Brooke Wroten), 4:10.50; 5. Lawrence (Lisa Yang, Emma-Frances Smith, Ella Williams, Lillian Wilson-Lewis), x4:49.63.

LHS baseball bounces back

The Lawrence High baseball team got back on track with a 4-3 home win over Olathe West Thursday, which snapped a two-game skid.

A strong showing on the mount helped the Lions (3-2, 1-1 Sunflower League) get back in the win column. Grant Cleavinger, Jackson Hewins and Hank Dobson held the Owls to a combined three hits over seven innings.

LHS pitcher Grant Cleavinger runs into the dugout after a clean inning during a home game against Olathe West on March 28, 2019.

LHS scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the first to provide more than enough support. Carlos Vasquez delivered an RBI single, while Dobson drove in a run off a double. Devin Neal scored a run off a steal, and Dobson scored on a wild pitch to conclude the inning.

Lawrence plays host to Park Hill at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Firebirds continue to roll

Free State’s baseball team netted another win Thursday with a 2-0 victory over Shawnee Mission Northwest at FSHS.

The Firebirds (4-2) have now won four games in a row since dropping two decisions in Missouri over spring break. Free State has leaned on stellar pitching during this recent stretch, which was on display again Thursday night.

Free State sophomore Cam Karlin stares down the batter in a game agaisnt Sioux Falls Washington, March 22 at Free State High School.

Ethan Bradford spun six shutout inning, allowing three hits and striking out seven batters. Cam Karlin closed things out by retiring three batters on 13 pitches in the seventh. Jake Baker, Jack Kallenberger and Jaxson Webb tallied the three hits by the Firebirds in the win.

Free State plays host to Columbine at 1 p.m. Saturday.

FSHS girls swim posts another runner-up finish

For the second time in as many meets, Free State’s girls swim and dive team finished as a runner-up.

The Firebirds won five of the 12 events, finishing with 261 points at the Manhattan Invitational on Wednesday. They were only 6 points shy of MHS, which won the triangular. Junction City finished in third place with 106 points.

Kasey Dunn won two individual races for the second meet in a row. She finished first in the 200 IM with a time of 2:20.97, and then notched first in the 100 free with a mark of 56.62.

Payton Krug also claimed first in two events, winning the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. Krug posted a time of 1:03.83 in the 100 butterfly, while recording a mark of 1:14.84 in the breaststroke. Monica Kimmel won the diving competition with 192.35 points, which was 23 points more than the runner-up.

Free State travels to Capital Federal Natatorium at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Manhattan Invitational

Team scores: 1. Manhattan 267; 2. Free State 261; 3. Junction City 106.

FSHS results

200-yard medley relay: 2. Abbey Hossler, Payton Krug, Kasey Dunn, Richa Joshi, 2:09.30; 3. Anna Welton, Emma Day, Nora Agah, Alayna Baker, 2:15.82; 4. Haleigh Dahl, Rose Pilakowski, Nisa Kay Klosh, Logan White, 2:23.13

200 freestyle: 2. Nisa Kay Klosh, 2:21.29; 3. Haleigh Dahl, 2:24.02; 5. Naomi Soderling, 2:29.87; 6. Rudy Benton, 2:32.75; 7. Lily Thompson, 2:40.83; 8. Emmaleigh Hancock, 2:45.00; 9. Savannah Randall, 2:47.68.

200 IM: 1. Kasey Dunn, 2:20.97; 4. Nora Agah, 2:47.13; 5. Richa Joshi, 2:47.29; 6. Anastasia Bunting, 2:56.72; 8. Addeline Garcia, 3:09.73.

50 freestyle: 5. Lily Thompson, 30.10; 7. Alayna Baker, 30.44; 13. Anna Welton, 31.90; 16. Mina Khosh, 32.58; 18. Nethni Weerasekara, 32.84; 19. Nikki Shaw, 32.86; 20. Logan White, 33.09.

Diving: 1. Monica Kimmel, 192.35; 4. Tori Crockett, 164.95; 6. Kate Bartle, 127.70.

100 butterfly: 1. Payton Krug, 1:03.83; 4. Nora Agah, 1:13.13; 7. Anotida Chikanda, 1:41.64.

100 free: 1. Kasey Dunn, 56.62; 4. Emma Day, 1:04.90; 5. Alayna Baker, 1:07.21; 9. Rose Pilakowski, 1:10.25; 13. Logan White, 1:13.61; 14. Nethni Weerasekara, 1:14.02.

500 free: 2. Nisa Kay Khosh, 6:08.14; 3. Haleigh Dahl, 6:17.79; 5. Naomi Soderling, 6:46.33; 6. Emmaleigh Hancock, 7:18.60.

200 free relay: 2. Alayna Baker, Emma Day, Richa Joshi, Payton Krug, 1:57.71; 5. Anna Welton, Nethni Weerasekara, Logan White, Rose Pilakowski, 2:09.17.

100 backstroke: 2. Abbey Hossler, 1:16.68; 3. Anna Welton, 1:18.73; 4. Rudy Benton, 1:21.60; 6. Anotida Chikanda, 1:26.18.

100 breaststroke: 1. Payton Krug, 1:14.84; 2. Emma Day, 1:22.46; 4. Rose Pilakowski, 1:25.77; 7. Richa Joshi, 1:30.06; 8. Mina Khosh, 1:31.00; 9. Anastasia Bunting, 1:32.01; 11. Sarah Church, 1:40.75.

400 free relay: 2. Nora Agah, Abbey Hossler, Naomi Soderling, Kasey Dunn, 4:11.74; 4. Haleigh Dahl, Rudy Benton, Nethni Weerasekar, Emmaleigh Hancock, 4:38.57.

LHS boys tennis places 4th in season opener

Senior Cooper Wright and junior Kanak Masten picked up right where they left off last year.

Lawrence’s No. 1 doubles tandem secured a first-place finish at the Emporia Invitational in the first meet of the year. Wright and Masten won the first match by an 8-0 margin before claiming an 8-5 win in the semifinals and an 8-3 victory in the championship match.

The LHS duo is coming off a ninth-place finish at the 6A state tennis tournament last year, and are hoping to do even better this season. Their 3-0 clip propelled the Lions to a fourth-place finish at the meet.

On the singles side, Ryan Logan netted fifth place by posting a 2-1 record in the No. 1 singles bracket. Drew Dean went 2-1 as well, notching fifth in the No. 2 singles bracket for the Lions. Dean even bested Cuyler Dunn in the fifth-place match.

Lawrence travels to Kossover Tennis Center at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Emporia Invitational

Team scores: 1. Andover Central 39, 2. Emporia 33; 3. Topeka High 31; 4. Lawrence 28; 5. Collegiate 26; 6. Hayden 22; 7. Ottawa 9.

LHS results

No. 1 doubles: Wright/Masten (first place) — Wright/Masten def. Hanson/Evans (OHS), 8-0; Wright/Masten def. Feng/Ramsey (Coll), 8-5; Wright/Masten def. Wilson/Flores (And C.), 8-3.

No. 2 doubles: Ramos/Johnson (fifth place) — Ramos/Johnson loses to Warrington/Newton (Andover), 8-6; Ramos/Johnson def. Flores/Sanchez (THS), 8-2 (2); Ramos/Johnson def. Smith/Lavin (LHS), 8-3.

No. 2 doubles: Smith/Lavin (sixth place) — Smith/Lavin loses to Pfeifer/Wurth (Andover), 8-7 (5); Smith/Lavin def. NeSmith/Nowatzke (OHS), 8-2; loses to Ramos/Johnson (LHS), 8-3.

No. 3 doubles: Micha/Micha (seventh place) — Micha/Micha loses to Jackson/Garay (THS), 8-4; Micha/Micha loses to Hanson/Hanson (OHS), 8-5; Micha/Micha def. Meier/Broxteman (HAY), 8-0.

No. 1 singles: Ryan Logan (fifth place) — Logan loses to Josh Stutler (EHS), 8-4; Logan def. Banks Whitney (THS), 8-1; Logan def. Matt Cuadille (THS), 8-5.

No. 2 singles: Drew Dean (fifth place) — Dean loses to Wyatt Cahoone (EHS), 8-5; Dean def. Jake Graf (Hayden), 8-1; Dean def. Cuyler Dunn (LHS), 8-4.

No. 2 singles: Cuyler Dunn (sixth place) — Dunn loses to Owen Deines (THS), 8-4; Dunn def. Ty Whitney (OHS), 8-1; Dunn loses to Dean (LHS), 8-4.

No. 3 singles: Aiden VonFeldt (third place) — VonFeldt def. Walker Everett (OHS), 8-7 (1); VonFeldt loses to Gavin Reves (Andover), 8-5; VonFeldt def. Cooper Kear (Andover), 8-7 (3).

Multiple events postponed due to weather

Mother natured altered Thursday’s schedule for both city schools.

For Free State softball, its road game against Shawnee Mission North was postponed to April 11. Free State boys tennis had its road match with Kansas City Christian School postponed to April 5.

The Lawrence High softball team had its road game with Shawnee Mission South canceled due to inclement weather.