photo by: Shane Jackson

Free State's Jack Keathley-Helms competes in the 4x800-meter relay during the state track meet on Thursday at Cessna Stadium at Wichita State University in Wichita on May 27, 2021.

Local track athletes from Lawrence High and Free State earned league honors when All-Sunflower League teams were released following the 2021 campaign.

The first team was highlighted by Free State’s boys 4×800-meter relay squad, which went undefeated this past spring and won a Class 6A state title. The quartet of Ben Shryock, Jack Keathley-Helms, Ethan Sharp and Brock Cordova were all recognized following a dominant year.

Shryock, who was named the Journal-World’s all-area boys track athlete of the year, also made the first team in the 3,200-meter run. Shryock won an individual title in that race at the state track meet to conclude his junior campaign.

On the girls side, Lawrence High senior Amaya Harris was picked to the first team for her efforts in the javelin competition. Harris earned three state medals in javelin during her career, including a third-place finish this past season.

Free State sophomore Aubrey Duncan was listed as a second-team selection in javelin. Duncan won a state title in the event while also setting a school record to close out her first season in track.

Lawrence’s Bella Kirkwood made the second team in the girls long jump, while Free State’s boys 4×100-meter relay team also landed on the second team.

On the boys side, Keathley-Helms (800-meter run), Jackson Barnett of FSHS (100-meter run), Graham Hough of LHS (200) and Avion Nelson of Lawrence (triple jump) all earned honorable-mention honors. The Firebirds’ boys 4×400-meter relay squad received an honorable-mention selection as well.

For the girls, Free State’s Reese Hulcher (high jump) and Lawrence’s Miri Pickman (triple jump) both made honorable mention.

2021 All-Sunflower League

Local selections for boys

First team: Ben Shryock, 3200, FSHS; Free State’s 4×800-meter relay team of Ben Shryock, Jack Keathley-Helms, Ethan Sharp, Brock Cordova.

Second team: Free State’s 4×100-meter relay team.

Honorable mention: Jackson Barnett, FSHS, 100; Graham Hough, LHS, 200; Jack Keathley-Helms, FSHS, 800; Avion Nelson, LHS, triple jump; Free State’s 4×400 relay team.

Local selections for girls

First team: Amaya Harris, LHS, javelin.

Second team: Aubrey Duncan, FSHS, javelin; Bella Kirkwood, LHS, long jump.

Honorable mention: Reese Hulcher, FSHS, high jump; Miri Pickman, LHS, triple jump.