Lawrence High School (Kansas)

Infobox School
name = Lawrence High School
fundingtype = Public


schooltype = high school
district = USD 497
grades = 10-12
principal = Steve Nilhas
address = 1901 Louisiana St.
city = Lawrence
state = Kansas
zipcode = 66046
country = USA
enrollment = 1,998
mascot = Chesty Lion
colors = Red and Black color box|red color box|black|

Lawrence High School is one of the two public high schools located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school enrolled 1,998 students in the 2007-2008 school year. The school colors are red and black and the mascot is the "Chesty Lion".

History

The school originated in 1857 and was referred to as "Quincy School". The first classes were held in the basement of a Unitarian church. Three years later the city of Lawrence chartered a public school system, which was located at 15th and Massachusetts, presently the site of Central Junior High School. Construction of the original building for the school was completed in 1865. The high school occupied a succession of buildings until the opening of the present campus, at 19th and Louisiana Streets, in 1954.

The building was expanded repeatedly over the ensuing forty years, as the school district struggled to keep pace with the growth of Lawrence's population. Finally, in 1997, a second public high school; Lawrence Free State High School, was opened, ending the city's long record of all young people being educated in a single high school.

Athletics

Currently Lawrence High has more than 100 state championships in various sports, one of the highest totals in the nation. The first state championship was won in 1914 in boys basketball. The next title, however, wouldn't be until 1954 in boys basketball. This started a half century of athletic dominance by the Chesty Lions. From 1954 to 2008 the Lions added 103 more state titles, bringing their total to 104.

Football

The Lawrence High School Chesty Lions have 31 undefeated seasons in football, the most in the United States. Fact|date=March 2008

In 2008, Sports Illustrated listed Lawrence High School as the top athletic program in Kansas. Additionally, due to the success of Lawrence High and the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas was featured as a candidate for Titletown, USA by ESPN.

Cross Country

The Lawrence High cross country team had a surge where it was seen as a power in the Kansas Cross Country scene. In 1997 Chris Williams won the individual title. However, the team finished in 5th place. In 1998 the team finished a distant second place to Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, who has won each team title since 1994. Williams successfully defended his individual state championship. In 1999, Williams won his 3rd consecutive individual championship, and the LHS team again placed second to SMNW. The team suffered a meltdown in the 2000 state meet and placed 9th. In 2001, the LHS team placed second to SMNW again, narrowing the margin to 12 points, while Dylan McClain was the top finisher (2nd place). After a 2002 regular season where LHS had been ranked above SMNW, the Lions finished 7 points short to claim another second place trophy.

The girls cross country team won three state cross country championships and went undefeated from 1985 to 1987 under head coach Dick Reamon.

ignificant Alumni

*Danny Manning - Lead the University of Kansas basketball team to the 1988 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament championship.
*Erin Brockovich - Had a movie made about her when she helped a town win a $333 million lawsuit because Pacific Gas and Electric Company had contaminated their water supply.
*Robert Docking - 38th Governor of Kansas
*Paul Endacott - led the Kansas Jayhawks to consecutive Helms Foundation national championships in 1922 and 1923
*Jeff Yagher - American actor
*John Hadl - former professional American football player and All-American running back at KU
*Tyler Knight - Starting center fielder for Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Tx. And former center fielder for Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Ks. And currently dating Jessica Coombs.

External links

* [http://lhs.usd497.org Lawrence High School website]