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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

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...

Seniors Bradie Ward and Samantha Packard hold the 6A first place trophy with their teammates around them. As of this Saturday, both Packard and Ward are back-to-back state champions. Photo contributed by Free State Swim and Dive.

Girls Swim and Dive Wins Second Consecutive State Competition

Thomas Patton May 22, 2023

Girls swim and dive secured back-to-back state titles on Saturday, May 20. The team held first place from start to finish, winning by 132 points over the next closest team. The team never strayed away...

Student section watches the Free State vs. Lawrence High football game. The crowd is dressed as College Gameday.

FEATURE: Barstool Sports: Attacking Athletes or Harmless Humor?

Gabriella Kellison October 30, 2022

During recent years of the increasing social media presence in schools, Barstool Sports twitter accounts have become a prevalent way for students to keep up with school sports programs. Barstool Sports...

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