photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State freshman Gavin McIntosh tucks for a somersault in the KSHSAA 6A state swim and dive meet at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Lenexa — Free State freshman Gavin McIntosh qualified for the 6A state dive finals after scoring 246.05 points for 12th place on the leaderboard during the first day of the KSHSAA 6A state swim and dive meet.

The Firebirds had two divers compete on Thursday, and both reached the semifinal round. Sophomore Constantine Shipley reached the semifinal after placing 16th of 28 in the preliminary event, while McIntosh was 10th. Through the first five dives, Shipley scored 149.95 points, while McIntosh scored 169.60.

McIntosh added another 76.45 points in the semifinal round on three dives, and Shipley scored 60.90 on three dives. After the semifinal round, the top 16 divers on the leaderboard qualified for the finals on Saturday.

“I feel good,” McIntosh said. “(I had) a little bit of nerves, but at the same time, it’s so much fun being around these people. They’re all great people.”

This isn’t just McIntosh’s first season competing at the high school level, this is his first season diving. He began teaching himself diving over the summer for fun before joining the team. Now, he’ll represent Free State in the diving finals and will finish his freshman year in the top 15 of 6A divers.

McIntosh’s best dive of the day came in the second round, as he scored 42.00 points on a forward two-and-a-half somersault. He also scored 38.50 points on an inward one-and-a-half somersault and 34.65 points on a back one-and-a-half somersault with a half-twist.

Shipley’s best score of 35.20 points came in a forward double somersault. He also scored 34.65 points on a backward one-and-a-half somersault with a half twist and 33.00 points on an inward one-and-a-half somersault.

Entering the finals, McIntosh is behind Wichita Southeast’s Henry Hover at 254.20 points and Topeka’s Jaxon Cowdin at 255.85 points. Giani Benoit from Wichita Northwest currently leads the field with 333.15 points. Benoit is the defending 6A state champion in diving.

Day two of the state tournament will begin at 9 a.m. at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center on Friday with preliminary swim events. The finals for both swimming and diving will take place on Saturday, the final day.

Lawrence High didn’t have any divers in the state tournament but will have several swimmers compete in the swimming events.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Constantine Shipley starts his dive in the KSHSAA 6A state swim and dive meet at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State freshman Gavin McIntosh twists during a dive in the KSHSAA 6A state swim and dive meet on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Constantine Shipley enters the water during a dive in the KSHSAA 6A state swim and dive meet at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State freshman Gavin McIntosh starts his dive during the KSHSAA 6A state swim and dive tournament on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center.