When Free State High’s Aaron Webber learned freshman Stephen Skepnek had tied him by firing a career-best 81 Thursday at Lawrence Country Club he had to give his younger friend a little ribbing.

“Yeah, I think Aaron’s our best player, but I’ll be nipping at his heels as much as I can,” said a smiling Skepnek, who had shot his top mark in just his second varsity meet.

But not even the pair of 81’s could lift the Firebirds to victory in Thursday’s quadrangular as Overland Park Aquinas finished one stroke better, shooting a 332 compared to FSHS’s 333. Olathe South shot 363 while Mill Valley ended at 374.

“We played much better,” Free State coach Jack Schreiner said. “That’s without question the best score we’ve turned in. If we can just continue to improve will be able to compete with some of these better teams.”

While Webber and Skepnek topped the Firebirds’ field, two other Free State golfers fired mid-80s rounds as Mike Gisel shot an 85 and Tyler Yeakel shot an 86.

“We’re definitely still working on trying to be consistent,” said Webber, who has shot in the low 80s in all three of FSHS’s events. “If we can become about four deep, then we’ll be in position to win just about every tournament.”

But finding that combination has been tricky Schreiner said.

Skepnek fired a 90-plus in his only other varsity match before he found his niche on his home course Thursday. Yeakel has been up and down as well, while Gisel, Jason O’Bryon and Andy Frye are still battling other for the other open spot.

“I’m starting to count on Aaron every single time, but it’s too early to be talking about consistency right now,” Schreiner said. “But the guys should be pleased about today.”

And at least for now, Webber can still hold on to his No. 1 spot.

“Hey, I’ll do whatever is in the best interest of the team if these guys overtake me,” he said. “But it is kind of fun to be the top dog.”