The spring sports season began for baseball and girls soccer this past week, and athletes in and around Lawrence made winning impacts for their teams. These are this week’s selections for Athletes of the Week:

Blaine Larkin, Free State

Larkin threw the first five innings of Free State’s season opener against Sioux Falls-Jefferson and allowed only three hits and no walks while throwing nine strikeouts. He only threw 68 pitches in five innings.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Blaine Larkin lets it rip during a home game vs. Shawnee Mission North on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at FSHS.

Ginny Besson, Lawrence

Besson scored a game-tying goal for the Lions in their season-opening win over Shawnee Heights on Tuesday. Besson scored on a through ball midway through the second half.

Lawrence junior Ginny Besson.