photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Giuliano Lule-Paredes is headed to William Jewell College to continue his academic and athletic career. Lule-Paredes holds the LHS school record in the 100-yard backstroke.

Lawrence High senior Giuliano Lule-Paredes signed with the William Jewell swimming team on Monday at LHS.

Lule-Paredes spent four years with the Chesty Lions’ swim and dive program and holds the school record in the 100-yard backstroke (54.44).

This year at state, Lule-Paredes place eighth in the 100-yard backstroke and ninth in the 200-yard individual medley. He helped LHS place fifth in the 400-yard freestyle relay and 11th in the 200-yard medley relay, scooping up Second Team All-State honors.

Additionally, Lule-Paredes was named First Team All-Sunflower League after placing first in the 200-yard individual medley and second in the 100-yard backstroke at the league meet back in February.

“When some people aren’t in the pool as much as (Lule-Paredes) thinks they should be, he would make a comment here or there,” LHS coach Kent McDonald said. “He was a team leader in that way, not only swam well but kind of kept things under control.”

Lule-Paredes, who spent all four years under McDonald’s eye, said the longtime LHS coach has made a substantial impact on his swimming career and enabled him to carve out a path to continue his passion at the next level.

“He honestly made me regain my love for swimming,” Lule-Paredes said. “I’ve done clubs my whole life so it’s been kind of the same thing and my (club) team doesn’t have a lot of guys my age. Coming into a team with people all my age, it was nice to finally have a relay again and I just regained my love for something.”

The LHS star picked William Jewell over competing interest from Loyola New Orleans, Rockhurst and Denver. Jewell, under the leadership of head coach Greg Temple, competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference at the NCAA D-II level.