Skip to Main Content
The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

Archived photo by Chloe Cook

FEATURE: Kicking It Into Gear

Arianna Waller, Reporter April 1, 2024

Following the loss to Garden City in overtime last year, Girls Soccer is heading back into the game. The girls are focusing on their strength, resilience and leadership to bring a new look to the program.  Senior...

PHOTO GALLERY: February Sports Recap

PHOTO GALLERY: February Sports Recap

Chloe Cook, News Photo Editor March 22, 2024

Former baseball player Brady Kern.

SPORTS: Springing into the Season

Claire Heinritz, Reporter March 8, 2024

The start of spring sports on Monday, Feb. 26th, has not come without preparation. Athletes and coaches have been getting ready in order to aim for a successful season. Spring sports include boys and...

SPORTS: Boys swim and dive competes at state

SPORTS: Boys swim and dive competes at state

Chloe Cook, News Photo Editor March 4, 2024

On Thursday, Feb. 15, senior Isaiah Wilkins competed in the 1-meter dive preliminaries and semi-finals. Coming into State, he was ranked #13 but quickly rose his way up. After placing 6th in prelims, Wilkins...

Freshman Anniston Clark goes for a layup during the home varsity girls basketball game vs Olathe North on January 10.

FEATURE: Student Athletes Fall Behind

Corinne Kingsley, Reporter February 8, 2024

As spring sports begin, student athletes juggle school work while missing classes for their sports. Athletes play up to 19 games per season, half being away games, meaning students are having to miss classes...

Junior Brayden Wilcox prepares to take on his opponent at the first home boys varsity wrestling meet of the season. The Firebirds came out on top, winning 54-24 overall.

FEATURE: Pinning Their Way Into the History Books

Rakshan Ossen, Reporter February 1, 2024

In the face of fierce competition, the Free State boys wrestling team exemplified their determination to carry the program’s legacy after placing eight as a team and having two wrestlers earn the state...

Smiling, senior Sophie Racy stands for a photo. Racy has competed as a member of the Speech and Debate team for 4 years, earning numerous medals along the way. “I think that these awards serve as a representation of the work I've put into the activity and I was given them because the people around me in the community see that” Racy said.
(Caption by Gregory Mayhew)

FEATURE: Racy-ing to the Top

Claire Heinritz, Reporter January 23, 2024

Summing up her outstanding work for four straight years, star debater Sophie Racy’s high school career comes to a close being nationally recognized with the NSDA’s degree of premier distinction. The...

Freshman Isla Gnojek has been performing ballet since pre-school. They dance locally through the Lawrence Art Center.

OPINION: Pay to Play

Lilly Wall, News Editor-in-Chief November 30, 2023

$883. On average, a family spends $883 on their child’s youth sport every year, according to Aspen Institute. That’s roughly $73 a month, leveling out at around $20 a week. That’s enough to cover...

After scoring a goal, the boys varsity soccer team celebrates with each other. They beat Shawnee Heights 5-0 on Tuesday, Sep. 5.

SPORTS: Boys Soccer Striving for Success

Elliot Skillman September 18, 2023

With a loss to DeSoto to start the season, the Boys Varsity Soccer team aims to show their resilience in the coming games. When faced with their next two matchups, the squad showed that they are prepared...

PHOTO GALLERY: Back To School Recap

PHOTO GALLERY: Back To School Recap

Mallory Thompson, News Photo Editor September 11, 2023

Running the halls, the cross country team practices inside due to a rising heat wave. Having to practice inside isn’t new to the cross country team, according to coach Steve Heffernan. "We're used to having to make up some stuff to fill in gaps when the weather's just not accommodating,” Heffernan said.

SPORTS: Record Breaking Heat Disrupts Fall Sports

Nick Sprecker and Lilly Wall August 25, 2023

Lawrence, KS, one of many midwest cities currently trapped inside a heat zone, has broken its own heat index record twice in the span of a week with index temperatures reaching up to 135 F. Small, everyday...

Load More Stories