photo by: Submitted photo

The Free State tennis team stops for a picture at the Class 6A tennis regional. Free State and Lawrence High will be sending six total players to the state tournament.

The Free State and Lawrence High boys tennis teams qualified six total players for the Class 6A state tournament at Thursday’s regional at Mill Valley.

Free State senior Britton Snyder blazed his way through singles, winning three consecutive matches and besting Olathe South’s Josh Lee in the championship match. Lawrence High freshman Jack Bauch also punched his ticket to state, finishing third after falling to Lee in the semifinal round that would’ve pitted Bauch against Snyder in the championship.

Right behind Bauch in fourth was Free State freshman Drew Harrison. Harrison, winning back-to-back matches, fell short against teammate Snyder in the semifinal round. Additionally, Lawrence High senior Oliver Rubenstein earned a spot at state, making it all the way to the quarterfinal against Lee and finishing sixth after a loss to Olathe Northwest’s Caden Moore.

In doubles, just one pair — Free State juniors Felipe Reina-Salas and Jake Hedges — earned a trip to the state tournament. Reina-Salas and Hedges, climbing their way into the championship match, took down Olathe West’s Adam Geyer and Carter Heble. Another Free State doubles team, juniors Steven Duan and Will Six, fell to Olathe Northwest’s Aidan Messerly and Bryan Branstrom in the opening round of the regional tournament.

The LHS team of senior Jack Stutler and sophomore Asher Sikes also fell out of state contention, falling in the second round to Olathe East’s Grant Pettejohn and Myles Day. Additionally, LHS senior Ayden Ammann and sophomore Josh Lavin fell in the second round to Olathe Northwest’s Andy Harling and William Stewart.

The state tournament is slated for May 12-13 at the Topeka-Kossover Tennis Center.

Softball roundup

The Lawrence High softball team fell to Shawnee Mission East 8-5 in extras on Thursday at home.

Freshman Sophie Rowley, the starter for LHS (5-13), gave up four runs in the first and didn’t escape the inning before junior Taylor Zeckser replaced her on the hill. Zeckser gave up four more runs on nine hits, two walks and six strikeouts through eight innings.

At the plate, senior Hailey Ramirez finished 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Two more runs came by sophomore Maddy Crawford (1-for-4) and senior Emme Dye (0-for-3).

Next, LHS travels to Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday.

Across town, Free State softball lost 16-11 to Olathe North.

Starting pitcher Elsa Carrillo allowed eight runs on three hits, seven walks and seven strikeouts for the Lady Firebirds (6-12) through four innings. Junior Grace Rothwell stepped onto the mound in the fifth, allowing eight more runs on eight hits, a walk and three strikeouts.

At the plate, junior Aly Richardson (2-for-3) led the way with three RBIs and a run. Junior Bailey Smith (1-for-2) and senior Isabella Smith (1-for-2) added four combined RBIs. Two more RBIs came by seniors Alena Velilla (0-for-2) and Leah Mueller (1-for-4).

Next, Free State travels to Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday.

Longtime coach retiring from FSHS swimming programs

Longtime Free State boys and girls swimming coach Annette McDonald announced Wednesday that she would be retiring from her coaching duties at the end of the 2022-23 school year. McDonald has spent 23 years coaching the boys program and is closing up her 16th at the helm of the girls’ team.

Taking McDonald’s place will be Janna Skinner, Free State announced on Wednesday. Both McDonald and Free State athletic director Jered Shaw were involved in the selection process.

“It is hard to let go of this successful program that grew over the years,” McDonald said in a release by the school. “Both the girls and boys swim and dive teams have a proud legacy at Free State High School.”

Even though her coaching days may be over, the release said McDonald planned to continue teaching mathematics at the school.

Under McDonald’s leadership, the Free State boys swim and dive team was the first boys team, in any sport, to win a state championship in school history. Additionally, the girls program has three state titles under its belt (2009, 2015, 2022).