photo by: Courtesy of Free State High School

Current Free State athletic director Jered Shaw (left) and former FSHS athletic director Steve Grant pose with a plaque memorializing late USD 497 superintendent Randy Weseman. FSHS and LHS will honor Weseman's contributions to the community ahead of the football City Showdown on Friday at FSHS.

Several area golfers can declare themselves state-bound after a string of strong performances at their regional tournaments on Monday.

The Eudora girls golf team, which claimed its first Frontier League title last week, punched its ticket to the Class 4A tourney with a fourth-place overall finish in Wamego.

Eudora senior Joellen Vogt finished second individually shooting a team-best 85 through 18 holes. Sophomore Marleigh Grant wasn’t far behind, finishing 11th individually with 95.

Rounding out the Cardinals’ state-qualifying finish were freshman Brooklyn Akers in 18th (104), senior Olivia Lawhorn in 54th (134), and junior Brette Hayden, who tied for 56th (137).

Free State senior Liza Engelbrecht placed 21st individually (93) to qualify for state at the 6A regional in Topeka.

The 4A and 6A tournaments are slated for Oct. 16-17 at Salina Municipal Golf Course and Emporia Municipal Golf Course, respectively.

FSHS, LHS to honor late Randy Weseman at City Showdown

Former USD 497 superintendent Randy Weseman, who died in January of 2022 after a battle with cancer, will be honored Friday with a memorial plaque during the City Showdown between Free State and Lawrence football teams at FSHS.

A group of former district administrators plan to honor Weseman before kickoff during a ceremony in the south end zone. Former Free State athletic director Steve Grant said Weseman’s contributions to the creation of matching outdoor athletic facilities at FSHS and LHS in 2009 are part of his recognition.

The memorial effort was spearheaded by former school board member Cindy Yulich, former West Middle School principal Mick Lowe, former LHS athletic director Ron Commons, former LHS coach Dirk Wedd and longtime district swim coach Pat Grzenda.

Weseman served the community from 1976 until his retirement in 2009.

Randall commits to South Dakota State

Free State senior golfer Jack Randall on Tuesday verbally committed via social media to continue playing golf at South Dakota State University.

Randall, the Journal-World All-Area Player of the Year last spring, has earned all-Sunflower League honors and has been an individual regional champion and regional runner-up during his three-year high school career. He helped lead FSHS to the state tournament in 2021 and 2022, tying for eighth individually as a freshman. In 2023, Randall was the lone state qualifier for the Firebirds, shooting 78-71-149 at Sand Creek Station GC in Newton.

This summer, Randall posted a stroke average of 72.30 in junior competitions, including a third-place finish at the Kansas City Junior Championship in June. Since August, Randall maintains a 70.5 stroke average in competitive events.

LHS soccer drops late-season road test at O lathe Northwest

The Lawrence High boys soccer team dropped its road match at Olathe Northwest 4-2 on Tuesday night. Giving up a one-goal lead by halftime, the Chesty Lions (7-5-0) kept within a goal of the Ravens thanks to a goal by junior Asher Sikes assisted by senior Colin Sandefur in the second half but fell out of steam late.

Over at Olathe South, Free State picked up a 4-1 road win over the Falcons. The Firebirds were led by junior Jonathan Zheng and senior Cameron Stutler, scoring two goals each. Zheng (2) and junior Nicholas Sprecker (1) also landed in the assist column.

FSHS meets LHS in the soccer City Showdown on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at FSHS.