The 4x100-meter relay team poses with the state championship plaque Sunday afternoon on May 26, 2019 at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium.

For the first time in 662 days, there will be a spring sports event this week when the Lawrence High’s girls swim and dive program competes in a triangular at Free State on Wednesday. LHS baseball will also play two home games this weekend.

This week’s appetizer serves as the long-awaited return for spring sports after the season was canceled last year due to the threat of COVID-19. There has not been a spring sports event involving an area squad since the LHS girls track team won its second-straight state title during the three-day state meet in May of 2019.

Most of the spring sports programs will get their season started after this week, but all are equally as excited for their turn to compete. Before the season kicks off, let’s take a look at each Lawrence High spring sports program:

Baseball

When we last saw Lawrence’s baseball team, Brad Stoll’s squad finished just shy of making it to the Class 6A state tournament. LHS lost to Washburn Rural in the regional championship, and has not made it to the state tourney since 2012.

While it’s been two years, the Lions return a number of key players from that 17-5 squad that won nine games in a row at one point. Senior Devin Neal, who is signed to play both baseball and football at the University of Kansas, will play centerfield for the Lions this spring.

Senior shortstop Carlos Vasquez is back for one more year after making plenty of highlight plays two seasons ago.

photo by: Kendra Hatfield/Courtesy photo

Lawrence High senior shortstop Carlos Vasquez. Photo courtesy of Kendra Hatfield.

Seniors Cole Mondi (left fielder), Karson Green (catcher), Jack Stoll (third baseman) and John Green (pitcher) are all looking to end their careers on a high note. Junior pitchers Grant Cleavinger and Ike Cobb are also expected to be key contributors.

“This group feels a sense of duty to play hard for the 2020 seniors that didn’t get a chance to play their senior season,” said Stoll, who is entering his 16th year at the helm. “Trying to ride the momentum of a great football and basketball season.”

Lawrence is slated to have back-to-back home games this weekend, starting with a matchup against Sioux Falls Lincoln at 2 p.m. Friday. LHS will then host Sioux Falls Washington at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Lawrence High’s Sydney Delfelder runs off the field during a game against Shawnee Mission Northwest, March 26, 2019, at LHS.

Softball

Lawrence’s softball team won’t get things started until March 26, when it travels to Manhattan High for the season opener.

Sydney Delfelder is the lone senior on the LHS team, and will lead the way this spring. She recently signed to play softball at Baker University next year, and will hold down the second base position for LHS.

Junior Chayse Burghart was All-Sunflower League second team as a freshman, but is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. Junior outfielder Emily Silvers will take over behind the plate until Burghart is back in the mix.

The Lions will also lean on junior Layla Harjo (outfielder) sophomore Bailey Babbitt (outfielder), sophomore Emme Dye (shortstop), sophomore Hailey Ramirez (outfielder) sophomore Maelee Folks (pitcher/first baseman) and sophomore Gabriela Vasquez (third base) this season. It is a group that should have a lot of speed this year.

LHS will look to improve on its 3-18 finish in 2019.

“Ready to compete with some of the top teams in the state and have a great time playing ball again,” third-year coach Steve Seratte said.

photo by: Shane Jackson

Lawrence High’s Bella Kirkwood competes during the regional meet Friday afternoon at FSHS on May 17, 2019.

Track

Two years ago, the spring sports season ended with Lawrence’s girls track team pushing through a three-day state meet to win a second-straight team title. It marked the first time in 109 years that the state track meet had lasted three days.

Bella Kirkwood, who won four state medals in 2019, is one of the few contributors from that squad still at LHS. Lawrence girls also expect Amaya Harris (javelin), Caroline Dunlap (pole vault) and Brenna Schwada (sprints and jumps) to be key point scorers this season.

photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Lawrence High’s Graham Hough takes the baton for the anchor leg of the 6A boys 4×100-meter relay in the preliminary heat at the state track and field meet on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Wichita State’s Cessna Stadium.

On the boys side, Graham Hough is back for one more year after winning multiple state medals in his career as a sprinter. Juniors Noah Smith (shot and discus) and Avion Nelson (jumps and sprints) will also be crucial to the Lions’ success this spring.

“Our numbers are down this season, but we have a good mixture of younger talent and senior leaders,” 15-year head coach Jack Hood said. “The kids and coaches seem excited. Getting to do track this spring is going to be awesome.”

Lawrence sophomore Aubrey Fischer races in the 200 yard intermediate medley during its home invitational, March 26, 2019, at LHS.

Girls swim

Just like the track team, Lawrence’s girls swim and dive program enters the 2021 season as the defending champions.

The Lions were dominant in the pool in 2019, winning 72 events en route to nine first-place finishes in as many meets during the regular season. They then won the Sunflower League title before capturing their first state title since 1994.

There are still key returners from that talented squad to lead the way for LHS this spring. Seniors Aubrey Fischer, Madi Heckman and Iris Sherron all medaled or placed at the state meet two years ago. Juniors Carmen Braden and Ali Jones also found the podium at state.

Head coach Kent McDonald, who is in his 15th season at the helm, is also expecting senior Lillian Derby, senior Mara Manolescu, sophomore Abi Jones and sophomore Paige Unekis to do well for this year’s team.

“We should be strong with a number of key returnees from our 2019 state champion team,” McDonald said. “We have seven divers, the most ever, but they are all new at it. See how that goes.”

Lawrence will compete against Shawnee Mission South and Free State at the FSHS triangular on Wednesday. The event is slated to begin with the diving competition at 1:30 p.m., while swimming events will start at 3:30 p.m.

Girls soccer

Compared to most years, Lawrence’s girls soccer team isn’t very deep and will have to lean on some young newcomers to provide enough support and depth.

The Lions still have a strong nucleus that they can count on this spring. Senior captain I’yawa Brewer, who is signed to play for Illinois State, has plenty of individual skill and athletic ability. Senior defender Piper Leitch will be counted on to be a leader both on and off the field.

Senior Riley Unekis is an integral player for Lawrence because of her versatility to play anywhere on the field. Junior Bella Carter is a speedy defender who likes to get involved in the attack. Midfielders Jadyn Wymore (sophomore) and junior Olivia Platt (junior) will both make an impact as newcomers this spring.

“Everyone is going to have to buy into the team goals, strategies and philosophy,” head coach Matthew McCune said. “If that happens, I think we will be able to surprise a lot of teams.”

LHS will travel to Topeka High on Friday, March 26.

Boys tennis

So much is still unknown about the LHS tennis team after missing last year and having a weird schedule to start this spring. Spring break fell on the second week of practice for 12th-year head coach Chris Marshall, who is still trying to get a good grasp on his squad.

Despite not knowing lineups just yet, junior Cuyler Dunn figures to have an important role on the team. Seniors Drew Dean and Kirk Johnson also should be near the top of the lineup during their final season with the program.

LHS will begin its spring slate with a road meet at Emporia High on Tuesday, March 30.

Boys golf

Lawrence’s boys golf squad should take a step in the right direction under second-year head coach John Moos.

The Lions are going from having five players on the team two years ago to 13 this season. That should create more competition and improve scores on a weekly basis, while giving LHS the best chance to compete at meets.

Seniors Austin Pennybaker, Mikey Williams and Evan Liakos will all be a big part in determining how Lawrence does on the golf course this spring.