It was a week brimming with action and standout performances across the high school sports scene, as teams and individuals from multiple schools made their mark in golf, cross-country, and gymnastics events. From record-setting golf rounds to nail-biting cross-country finishes and powerful gymnastics routines, local athletes showcased both talent and determination in a series of state and league championships.
On October 23, 2025, the spotlight shone brightly on Ariana Urea of Windermere Prep, who delivered a remarkable round of 66, finishing five under par in an 18-hole girls’ golf match. Such a score not only stands out for its technical excellence but also sets a high bar for competitors across the region. Meanwhile, on the boys’ side, Circle Christian’s Luke Gossett fired an impressive 33, three under par, further adding to the day’s list of eye-catching golf achievements.
Elsewhere, the 4A and 6A state golf tournaments proved to be battlegrounds for some of the area’s most promising young golfers. Baldwin’s girls golf team clinched fourth place in the 4A state tournament at Carey Park Golf Course, finishing with a team score of 366. Leading the way was Peyton Wright, who displayed resilience and skill by bouncing back from an 85 in the first round to card a stellar 76 in the second, ultimately securing fourth place individually. According to tournament officials, "Wright’s second-round 76 was one of the lowest scores of the day, cementing her as a rising star in the state’s golf scene."
Baldwin’s depth was on full display as Carson Chambers placed 20th with a combined score of 177. Not far behind, Jada Sansome and Charity Thompson finished 34th and 36th, respectively, while Addy Scraper’s 199 placed her 50th out of 89 competitors. Such strong numbers across the lineup are a testament to the team’s preparation and spirit.
The Eudora Cardinals also made their presence felt at the 4A tournament, though they missed out on a top-six team finish. Brooklynn Akers led the charge for Eudora, placing 18th with a 175, while Marleigh Grant’s 178 earned her a spot in the individual top 25. Brynn Deterding, Lilly Wright, and Josie Vogt all contributed solid rounds, with Leslie Cundiff participating in the first round as well. Tonganoxie’s Paityn Van Middlesworth represented her school with pride, finishing 42nd after showing notable improvement between rounds to post a 191.
Action was just as intense at the 6A state tournament held at Hesston Golf Course. Free State’s Laurel Stancil emerged as the team’s top performer, qualifying for the second round and ultimately finishing 42nd with a score of 185. Her first-day score of 90 set the tone for a gritty state-level campaign. Teammate Claire Heinritz narrowly missed advancing, shooting a commendable 96, while Tola Jankowski, Mallory White, Haylee Graham, and Avery Lonnberg all contributed to Free State’s effort.
Not to be overshadowed by the golfers, cross-country runners from Free State and Lawrence delivered memorable performances at the Sunflower League meet on October 18, 2025, at the iconic Rim Rock Farm. The Free State boys stormed to a runner-up finish with a team score of 90, trailing only Olathe Northwest. Nicholas Johnson led the Firebirds with a 17:03.46, good enough for 14th place, while Anderson Bateman and Jonah Frye finished 18th and 19th, respectively. Jasper Hansen Terry and Stevie Jackson rounded out the team’s top five, with all runners clocking sub-18-minute times.
Lawrence’s boys team held their own, finishing sixth overall. Oliver Schwartz was the standout, racing to sixth place with a blistering 16:47.39 and an average mile time of 5:24.30. Logan Druen joined him in the top 25, while Garrett Rhea, Riley Swart, Paul Radley, Conner Popp, and Mateo Klish all contributed to the Lions’ solid showing.
The girls’ cross-country races were just as competitive. Free State’s squad secured fourth place with 89 points, anchored by Taylor Hulcher’s fifth-place finish in 19:38.86. Teammates Nadia Karapuda, Eloise Frye, Grace Christline, Julia Velasco, Amelia Brewer, and Mady Whitney all finished within the top 50, highlighting the team’s depth and consistency. For Lawrence, Juliet Outka led the Lions’ trio with a 23:14.14, followed by Hayley Swart and Tessa Sanders.
Switching gears to gymnastics, Free State and Lawrence wrapped up their Sunflower League campaigns on October 11, 2025, with strong performances in their final league meet in Lawrence. Free State took fifth place with a team score of 99.325, while Lawrence finished sixth with 81.000. Harper Huston was the star of the meet for Free State, scoring an 8.850 on vault and an outstanding 9.375 on the floor exercise, the third-best floor score of the event. Huston also posted a 9.000 on beam and an 8.700 on bars, underscoring her all-around prowess. Cleo Trigg, Emi Stone, and Lucy Koch provided valuable support, each contributing solid scores across multiple apparatuses.
Lawrence’s gymnasts found their greatest success in the vault, with Jensen Wallace leading the way at 8.450. Wallace also topped her team’s scores in beam, floor, and bars, demonstrating versatility and leadership. Naomi Klopfenstein and Becca Liljestrom chipped in with steady performances, helping the Lions finish the season on a high note. As the teams now look ahead to the final KSHSAA state gymnastics meet at Olathe East High School, anticipation is building for more standout routines and potential hardware.
With so many athletes rising to the occasion—whether on the golf course, the cross-country trail, or the gymnastics mat—it’s clear that the future of local high school sports is bright. As postseasons continue and state competitions approach their climax, fans, coaches, and competitors alike can’t help but wonder: what thrilling moments will the next week bring?
