photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Miri Pickman clears the bar in high jump during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

Topeka — The Free State and Lawrence High track and field teams created a flurry of top-five finishes at the Coach Beardslee Invite at Washburn Rural on Thursday.

Placing in the top three in all three relays, the FSHS boys squad arguably made the most noise, pulling down 18 total top-five finishes at the meet.

Seniors Jameson Carter, who won the 300-meter hurdles (40.73), and Blake Wohler, who won the 3,200-meter run (9.38.51), were the Firebirds’ two gold medalists on the boys’ end. Carter also placed third in the 110-meter hurdles and fourth in the 200-meter dash.

Carter, who plans to attend Purdue to study engineering next fall, said an imminent walk down the aisle at graduation makes this season all the more pressing.

“I got unfinished business,” Carter said. “… It’s hard, I got to stay focused on my goals. I’ve spent all summer wanting to get right back here.”

More boys medalists for Free State: Jake Loos, second, 400-meter dash (53.58), second, 1,600-meter (4:23.90); Grant Lichauer, third, 800-meter run (2:03.44); Jake Hedges fourth, 800-meter run (2:04.47); Thomas Henderson, fifth, 110-meter hurdles (15.84), fifth, discus (124-04); Jonah Frye, fourth, 3,200-meter run (9:57.70); Ryan Whittlesey, third, 1,600-meter run (4:37.88); Zach Hansen Terry, fourth, 1,600-meter run (4:39.10); Brody Migchelbrink, fifth, high jump (5-10.00); Stephen Huffman, fifth, pole vault (9-06.00).

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Jameson Carter looks ahead running the hurdles during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Lawson Brungardt warms up during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Nicholas Johnson carries the baton in a relay during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Parker Moore twists before his throw in shot put during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

The LHS girls’ team also stacked its share of hardware, coming away with 16 total medalists.

Flying high in the high jump, seniors Paige Platt (5-04.00) and Miri Pickman (4-10.00) placed first and third, respectively, among nine total jumpers. Asked about her golden finish, Platt said her event’s become an internal battle – and she prefers it that way.

“I like the mental challenge,” Platt said. “If I don’t push myself as far, there’s no one else to blame but me.”

Platt’s early-meet success seemingly rubbed off on her teammates. Later, Pickman finished fourth in the long jump (16-5.75) alongside a fifth-place finish by sophomore Sidra Besson (16-3.25).

On track, sophomore Ginny Besson grabbed two golds by winning the 200-meter dash (28.04) and 400-meter dash (1:02.53). Senior Rai’Onna Helm, who placed second in the 100-meter dash (13.12), and Platt’s younger sister, Josephine, who placed second in the triple jump (33-2.5), added two silvers to the pile.

The Lions’ 4×100-meter relay team – Helm, freshman Sienna Wesley, sophomore LaKeyshia Woods and freshman Yamirra Woods – placed second (51.18), less than a second behind first-place Mill Valley.

More girls medalists for LHS: LaKeyshia Woods, third, 100-meter dash (13.56); Sidra Besson, third, 200-meter dash (28.09), fourth, 400-meter dash (1:03.31); Emma Roman Nose, fifth, 800-meter run (2:31.80), fifth, 1,600-meter run (5:39.47); Andrelina Lanning, fourth, 100-meter hurdles (19.54); Miri Pickman third triple jump (32-03.00); Paige Platt, second, javelin (118-10), second triple jump (33-02.50); Cadence Scholz, fifth pole vault (7-00.00).

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Paige Platt takes flight in high jump during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Josephine Platt comes in for her landing in long jump during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Emma Roman Nose keeps the pace during a race during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

Both the LHS boys and FSHS girls performed strongly in their respective relays.

The Lions’ boys 4×100 relay team – senior Colin Sandefur, senior Julian Bachman, junior Ethan Damron and sophomore Darren Riccardo – placed first (44.47) to beat out Mill Valley (2nd) and Free State (3rd) for the top spot.

In the girls’ 4×400 relay, the FSHS girls’ team – junior Cayman Barnes, junior Dakota Cronemeyer, freshman Beatrice Essman and senior Gretchen Weinkauf – came out on top of Washburn Rural and Topeka-Seaman for another gold medal.

More girls medalists for Free State: Beatrice Essman, second, 400-meter dash (1:02.69); Peyton Moore, third, 400-meter dash (1:03:07); Gretchen Weinkauf, fifth 400-meter dash (1:03.59); Parker Jones, fifth, 200-meter dash (28.62), second, long jump (17-3.5); Elle Cormaney, fourth, 1,600-meter run (5:38.99); Julia Velasco, fourth, 3,200-meter run (12:43.78); Addyson Tenbrink, fifth, 3,200-meter run (12:48.12); Harper Graham, third, 300-meter hurdles (53.37).

More boys medalists for LHS: Tyler Dye, fifth, triple jump (38-3.5); Darren Riccardo, fifth, 100-meter dash (12.10); 4×800 relay team, 3rd (8:37.40).

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Aleisha Lohfeld sticks her landing in long jump during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Duncan Van Fleet rests the shot put above his shoulder during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Jacob Gilbert steps into his release in the javelin throw during the Coach Beardslee Invite on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Washburn Rural High School.

LHS names Deborah Newkirk next head volleyball coach

Lawrence High introduced Deborah Newkirk as its next head volleyball coach on Friday, sharing multiple statements and an official release on social media.

Newkirk, a Baxter Springs native, brings extensive coaching experience spanning 30 years and featuring time at Division I college programs, including at the University of Kansas. Newkirk is also a national speaker for The Art of Coaching Volleyball and has received numerous awards, such as a recognition by the Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness.

“Deborah brings to our a team a wealth of knowledge and a true passion for coaching,” LHS athletic director Mike Gillman wrote in a post on X. “We are delighted to have her continue the longstanding tradition of Lawrence High Volleyball.”

Newkirk also released a statement in a separate X post by LHS:

“Getting closer to my family became the most important thing in my life. It feels awesome to be back in beautiful Lawrence, Kansas. I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Lawrence High School tradition and I cannot wait to meet the Chesty Lions volleyball players, their families and get started on this journey together.”

Softball roundup

The Lawrence High softball team improved to 3-0 with an 11-1 victory at Shawnee Mission South on Thursday. Senior Taylor Zeckser pitched all five innings for LHS, giving up just one earned run and a walk with five total strikeouts.

Junior Lydia Folks batted 3-for-4 on the night, registering a double and three RBIs. Junior Maddie Crawford finished batting 1-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs. Two more RBIs came from sophomore Harper Dye; fellow sophomore Sophie Rowley added two hits to the stat sheet.

Also in the Kansas City area, the Free State softball team lost a brief two-run lead and never recovered in a 4-3 loss at Shawnee Mission North. The Firebirds (2-3) were led by senior Elsa Carrillo (6 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 10 K) on the mound.

FSHS managed just five hits off the Bison, with senior and Ottawa commit Megan Kohl going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.

Both teams return home next Tuesday, as the Firebirds welcome Olathe South and LHS takes on Shawnee Mission West.

Free State, LHS golfers swing into spring at SM East Invite

Free State senior Jack Randall, LHS junior Nate Schworm and LHS senior Gunnar Wayenberg opened boys golf season with a tight round – all shooting 78 and tying for 30th place – at the Shawnee Mission East Invitational on Monday at Kansas City Country Club.

Lower on the scorecard, FSHS sophomore Henry Thompson tied for 45th shooting 80. His teammate, junior Aiden Graff-Hannah, finished shooting 82 and tied for 60th place. Able to slide inside the top 70 was LHS sophomore Andrew Kirkwood with an 83 on the day.

LHS travels to Oakwood Country Club on Monday.