This time last year, Free State slugger Kay Lee Richardson was watching from the crowd. Richardson, who was in the eighth grade a year ago, watched from the seats in Arrocha Ballpark as FSHS softball made history by claiming its first-ever state title. The Firebirds stormed through the Class ...
Both city programs garnered plenty of All-Sunflower honors, which was released Monday afternoon. Free State senior Ethan Bradford, a Nebraska signee, was named the Pitcher of the Year for his prolific play this year. Lawrence’s Brad Stoll was named Coach of the Year after leading his team to ...
Due to weather, play was suspended in state golf tournaments featuring area athletes Monday afternoon. In Class 6A, a trio of Free State golfers were in the top-31 on the individual leaderboard before the delay at the Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton. Play was supposed to be resumed ...
It will be an unfamiliar feeling for Free State senior Landon Berquist. Berquist has plenty of experience with postseason golf, as Monday marks his fourth trip to the state tournament in as many years. But it will be his last action as a Firebird, capping a stellar high school career. “It ...
TOPEKA — It wasn’t until Lawrence High senior Emily Guo raised her head above water that she realized what had just happened. Guo, who was the final leg of the 400 freestyle relay, looked toward her teammates after touching the wall on the final race of the 6A state meet Saturday afternoon ...
Before she even competed in Friday’s regional meet, Lawrence High senior Josie Hickerson knew she was going to qualify for the state track meet in triple jump. After all, history was on her side. In last year’s regional meet, Hickerson placed fifth in triple jump to just miss out on ...
Four area baseball and softball teams will be in action in the final week of the season, two of which will compete right here in Lawrence. Both Free State baseball and softball squads are the No. 2 seed in their respective 6A state tournament. Both teams are in the state tournament for the ...
In the heat of a scoreless Class 6A regional championship game Thursday evening, Free State High’s softball players proved it’s a bad idea to anger them. The Firebirds were not at all pleased when the bottom of the fifth inning concluded on their home field with a double play on a would-be ...
Once junior Colter Maldonado reached first base safely, Free State’s baseball team rushed the field. A brief dogpile took place just beyond first base, as Free State finished off a crucial sweep Thursday night with a 10-0 run-rule victory over Wichita West in the regional championship game. ...
Nobody wants to kick off the postseason by facing the defending champions. After a 3-17 campaign, though, the Lawrence High softball team knew it was going to get a tough test in the regional opener. At the very least, the Lions will be all-too familiar with their first-round opponent when ...
It is a week that Free State senior Jake Baker will never forget. Six years ago, Baker got the opportunity to play at the Field of Dreams Ballpark in Cooperstown, New York. He played in multiple games during an under-12 youth tournament, and even hit a grand slam in one at-bat. Baker also won ...
Free State’s girls soccer team will live to fight another day. In the play-in game Monday night, FSHS cruised to a 10-0 victory over Wichita Southeast to earn a trip to top-seeded Washburn Rural. The Firebirds (3-12-2) scored all 10 goals in the first half in their lopsided postseason ...
Free State’s entire boys golf team punched its ticket to the 6A state tournament Monday afternoon at the Wamego Country Club. The Firebirds shot a 324 as a team, claiming a runner-up finish at their regional meet. Washburn Rural, the event winner, finished with a 305. Lawrence High finished ...
Despite dominating during Free State’s postseason run to a Class 6A state title a season ago, there was still something missing from Free State sophomore Tatum Clopton’s high school softball career. Specifically, regular season wins. One year after shoulder issues limited Free State’s ...
OLATHE — Free State senior Sawyer Nickel couldn't help but feel frustration as he found himself in a 3-0 deficit in what he knew was going to be his last high school tennis match. But instead of letting his anger undermine his performance, Nickel found a way to relax and have fun. Nickel ...
A balanced effort led the Lawrence High girls track and field team to a Sunflower League title Friday night at the Shawnee Mission South District Stadium. The Lions, who are the defending class 6A state champions, won three different relay races along with three individual events to score 152 ...
On the surface, there wasn’t a lot on the line in the latest installment of the City Showdown. That didn’t seem to matter when Free State and Lawrence High took the field Friday night at Hoglund Ballpark, however. FSHS struck first with three runs in the opening frame, but had to stave off ...