The Free State and Lawrence High boys golf teams returned to the links for the second round of the Sunflower League tournament on Monday at Falcon Ridge.

Free State sophomore Adam Hemker carded an 81 tying for 20th place with Shawnee Mission East’s Jack Shelton. Fellow sophomore Aiden Graf-Hannah tied for 24th carding an 83 with the Firebirds.

Freshman Andrew Kirkwood led the Lions, individually, finishing 29th shooting an 84. LHS sophomore Nate Schworm tied with teammate Gunnar Wayenberg and Free State’s Jack Randall for 36th all carding an 85.

Additionally, LHS senior Dallas Ostronic placed 46th (86); Free State freshman Henry Thompson tied for 51st (88); LHS senior Jack Elsten placed 55th (89); LHS senior Macade Lewis tied for 58th (90); Free State senior Jackson Lintecum tied for 68th (95).

The third round of the SFL tournament is slated for May 9 at Prairie Highlands Golf Course in Olathe.

Softball Roundup

The Free State and Lawrence High softball teams closed last week with three losses in four games in a pair of doubleheaders.

The Firebirds (4-6), hosting Washburn Rural and St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday, fell to the Junior Blues 4-2 in the first game and defeated the Saints 3-2 in the second.

After Free State fell in the first game, junior starting pitcher Grace Rothwell led the Firebirds back into the win column against Aquinas, going eight full innings with just two runs allowed on seven hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.

Junior Cydnee Price led the Lady Firebirds at the plate batting 2-for-2 with a run. Senior Leah Mueller and junior Megan Kohl each registered RBIs.

On Saturday, the Lady Lions (4-5) fell behind and never fully recovered in an 8-2 loss to the Junior Blues. Challenged from the first pitch, senior Maelee Folks allowed four runs in the first inning. Stepping in for Folks, freshman Keira Norris made her varsity debut for LHS going seven full innings with four runs allowed on nine hits, one walk and five strikeouts.

In the second game, LHS kept biting at Blue Valley Southwest’s heels most of the way in the 8-5 home loss. Trailing 6-5 entering the sixth, freshman starting pitcher Sophie Rowley gave up two more runs to the Timberwolves and the Lady Lions never answered.

LHS had a far better performance at the plate against Southwest, racking up 10 total hits. Senior Hailey Ramirez went 2-for-4, with one run and two RBIs. Sophomore Maddy Crawford added two more RBIs on a 2-for-4 showing at the plate, including a run.

Free State tennis sweeps Olathe Northwest quad

The Free State tennis team defeated Olathe Northwest, Olathe South and Manhattan at the Olathe Northwest quadrangular last Wednesday.

Senior Britton Snyder swept the first round of singles, defeating Olathe Northwest’s Caden Moore in his final match. Freshman Drew Harrison swept the second round, silencing Northwest’s Ty Ellis on the way to victory. In the third round, junior Owen Thompson won all three of his matches stumping Olathe South’s John McCarthy and Northwest’s Isaiah DeNatale along the way.

In doubles, juniors Jake Hedges and Felipe Reina-Salas finished the quad undefeated through three matches. Harrison and senior Nathaniel Slemmer also posted a perfect record, and the duo of juniors Will Six and Steven Duan finished 2-1.

Free State and LHS will compete in the Lawrence High Invitational on Friday at 3 p.m.

Free State swim dominates home meet

The Free State girls swim and dive team cruised to a first-place finish at its home meet on April 11, outperforming four other schools.

The Firebirds opened the meet strong placing first, second, fourth and seventh in the 200-yard medley relay. Additionally, Free State won the 200 and 400-yard freestyle relays. Senior Bradie Ward, individually, won the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle. Following Ward’s lead, senior Samantha Packard won the 200-yard medley and the 100-yard backstroke.

Additionally, sophomore Jocelyn Wilson placed first in the 200-yard freestyle; sophomore Gayla Gao placed first in the 100-yard butterfly; senior Halle McCullough placed second in the 200-yard medley; junior Liza Engelbrecht placed second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 50-yard freestyle.

Lawrence High junior Emily Brandt placed first in the 1-meter dive (220.75), besting Bishop Miege’s Julia MacCaffree. Lawrence junior Sophie Wirth placed fourth, just above Free State’s Maya Huang in fifth. Free State cleared the top three spots in the 500-yard freestyle, though, keeping LHS senior Macie McDermott in fourth.

Free State and LHS will compete in a triangular at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center on Thursday beginning at 3:30 p.m.