Free State High bowling coach Chuck Tracy knew after his sport’s addition this season, city bowlers would need time to adjust to the varsity game.

After just two weeks, Tracy is pleasantly surprised that the boys and girls teams seem comfortable.

“I’m definitely pleased with where we’re at right now,” said Tracy, whose Firebirds easily swept Olathe East in a dual Tuesday at Royal Crest Lanes.

“But you never want competition to become routine. I think we’re comfortable with where we are at right now, but we have a lot of things to continue to work on and perfect before things start to really count at the end of the season.”

The Firebirds definitely looked at ease against Olathe East. Free State’s girls (4-1) posted a season-best score of 2,341, compared to East’s 1,744.

The Firebird boys, who improved to 5-0, outscored the Hawks, 2,433-2,014.

“There is still a lot of excitement out there with everything being so new to everyone,” said senior Rich Altman, who led the Firebirds with a 651 series. “I just think everyone’s kind of getting comfortable with how things are supposed to work.”

“I think the head-to-head competition with the other team is also what has made us play so well lately.”

Free State’s experience paid dividends again Tuesday, because in addition to Altman three other seniors — Nathan Hardman (618), Jeremy Healy (593) and Scot Lange (571) — plus sophomore Kenny Altman (534) and junior Mike Herschell (534) all outscored their Hawk counterparts.

Free State’s girls had three bowlers beat all challengers.

“I think we’ve all kind of settled down from those first two meets, because everyone had a few butterflies in the early going,” said junior Christina Bernhardt, who scored a 601.

Sisters Dacia and Dequesne Sprow scored 645 and 614.

“It’s not like we’re all businesslike out there, we’re definitely having fun,” Bernhardt said. “It just seems like everyone’s starting to find their roles, and right now we’re bowling really well.”