On May 1, 2025, Sunflower League officials announced that Girls Gymnastics would cease to be recognized as an official league sport following the 2025 season.
Participation numbers have steadily decreased since 2016, with only 70 gymnasts competing state-wide last year. Additionally, 5A-6A gymnastics is currently offered in only five school districts in Kansas.
Explaining the transition, the league cited “several years of challenges, including declining participation numbers, difficulties in finding enough qualified coaching staff, and logistical challenges in consolidating practices and competitions.”
Since the 2010s, Lawrence High and Free State have competed on a joint gymnastics team, called the “FireLions,” combining the schools’ mascots, the Chesty Lions and the Fire Birds.
Although the teams originally merged to boost participation numbers, in recent years, the program has significantly shrunk, with only three gymnasts from LHS: junior Naomi Klopfenstien, freshman Becca Liljestrom, and freshman Jensen Wallace.
When Klopfenstien opened her email to discover that her team would not return next year, she felt disappointed that her time as a gymnast would be cut short.
“Sometimes I forget it’s getting cut, and I’m like, ‘oh, next year I’ll do better at this,’ and there is no next year, so this is the last time I’m doing this,” Klopfenstien said.
Amid district budget cuts in 2021, administrators considered cancelling the high school girls gymnastics program, which prompted significant protest from LHS and Free State students, who held sit-ins and walk-outs in support of the team. Thanks to student vocalizations and a data analysis, girls gymnastics continued.
Athletic Director Patrick Graham emphasized that the cut stems from unsustainable participation rates, and not a budget issue.
“At some point, KSHAA can’t have every sport because not every school has all the facilities, but there’s definitely a dialogue as we try to improve everything for our students,” Graham said. “The long-term goal is to make things better and to get as many kids involved as possible.”
Wallace, who has been on larger club gymnastics teams, highlights that a smaller roster is a strength because it promotes more personalized practices.
“You can focus on what you feel like you need to work on and it’s more special to you,” Wallace said. “Whereas club, there are a lot of people that the coaches have to get to, and since it’s a small team, we have more one-on-one time with the coach.”
Along with Wallace’s appreciation, Graham highlighted the dedication of Head Coach Alexis Gonzales.
“The whole thing is kind of surreal, knowing it is winding down. . . . Coach Gonzalez is amazing and she does so much for our young athletes; she’s the heart of the program here,” Graham said.
Beyond the cut, Klopfenstien appreciates the opportunity for connection that the joint-school team created.
“I get to meet and talk to people I wouldn’t have, [and]probably wouldn’t have even known existed if we didn’t do gymnastics together,” Klopfenstien said.
The FireLions will conclude their final season by hosting the Sunflower League meet on Oct. 25 at Free State.
“I’m hoping our kids can embrace this final hurrah in the fall here, and represent Lawrence High School with their best ability and finish on a high note,” Graham said.
