photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State Ashlyn Johnson, left, and Gayla Gao swim the 100-yard backstroke at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Lawrence.

Free State has won four of the first five meets of the girls’ swim and dive season.

Free State has a unique team chemistry this season. With a senior class of nine, the Firebirds have a blend of experience and earned leadership that has made the season special.

“This team is just really close,” coach Janna Skinner said. “The atmosphere that our captains have created is very supportive of each other. They cheer each other on — they want what’s best for each other. That’s been cool to see as a coach.”

Free State started with a win in the Emporia meet, where the team won two relays and four individual races. The Firebirds won the Lawrence Invite over Lawrence and Lansing and the Topeka Invite on April 10. The latest win came at home on Thursday on a senior night over Lawrence and Mill Valley.

In those wins, the team’s approach has stood out to Skinner, and that’s largely a credit to the team’s seniors.

“The veteran leadership is key because they know how to approach meets,” Skinner said. “They show up for their races, and they’re ready to go.”

The senior group has had to learn how to lead during their time with the Firebirds. What they’ve learned and how they’re able to lead have helped the team become the strong family dynamic that has led to its early success.

“We know we have a strong group of girls, so we’re focused on creating a good atmosphere,” senior Jocelyn Wilson said.

Support and motivation are the most important parts of the atmosphere the team is creating. Swimming can have a high burnout rate. It’s a physically exhausting sport that requires a lot of time and practice to make incremental improvements.

That’s where having such a large senior class helps. The team is deep with veterans who have gone through those experiences and difficulties and can ensure the younger team members are engaged and working hard in practices. By simply being with the team, the seniors show the younger girls the hard work and dedication to the sport pays off.

“It’s about showing up with the passion to get better every day,” Gayla Gao said. “Everyone experiences burnout, especially in the middle of the season. (Being able to) rely on teammates when you need it and showing up trying to get better is important.”

Practices are a competitive environment that is also supportive. The team makes sure everyone is doing the little things and not cutting corners. They also race each other in practice more this season, which has contributed to a healthy competitive environment. But above all, they support each other.

“We know each others’ capabilities, so even if I don’t have the best race, someone will come up and say, ‘Hey, I know you’re working hard,'” Gao said.

When it comes to the pool, the Firebirds have a lot going right. Wilson said the team is connected, and everyone is pulling their weight. The Firebirds put the team above themselves and will let other people swim in different races if a team member needs to race and cut their time to reach the postseason tournaments.

“People are trying to get cuts, so you maybe don’t swim an event for the good of the team,” Kendall Dobski said.

Skinner said this senior class will be a significant loss for the program when the season ends. They have been contributors and leaders for the team for a long time, and the Firebirds will need new voices to step up in a big way after the season.

“They all bring a lot of personality to the team, and it will be hard to see them go,” Skinner said. “They all have bright futures, and I know it’s time for them to launch.”

The Firebirds have less than a month before the Sunflower League meet begins on May 8 to start the postseason.