By all measures, the bowling season for Lawrence High and Free State was extremely productive in 2007.

Things are expected to be even better in 2008.

With four squads – boys and girls at each school – fielding legitimate chances of qualifying for this year’s state tournament as a team, the Lions and Firebirds kick off the season this month with big-time talent and even bigger aspirations.

The Lions will kick things off first, when they travel to Wichita today to open the season against Wichita Carroll. Although the Lions are under the leadership of first-year coach Brandi Perry, the experienced stable of bowlers she inherited is more than prepared to make a run at state.

“It’s been a long time coming between last year and this year,” senior Nick Hanna said. “We all spent a lot of time working on our games over the summer and in the fall and into tryouts. We’re ready to go.”

Hanna represents one of a handful of returning bowlers on the boys side at LHS, giving Perry a chance to use competition within the team to motivate her athletes.

“We have a really strong boys team,” Perry said. “Several of them showed up for an optional practice the other day and they’ve really showed early on that they’re serious and dedicated.”

Joining Hanna in contesting varsity spots will be returners Ben Wyatt, Matt Webber, Jerry Wang, Ryan Miller and Zhennan Liu. Josh Russell, Tanner Kilmer and Tyler Bailey also return with experience and figure to challenge for the six varsity positions available at each meet.

On the girls side, the LHS roster is small but loaded with talent and experience.

Tiffany Demaline is the top returning LHS girl. She placed 16th at state as a junior in 2007, two years after winning state as a freshman.

Demaline is joined in the lanes by Alexa Gudenkauf, Mallory Hughes-Pfifer, Becca Stack and Jessica Wyatt, a group that is entering its fourth season of bowling together.

“All of us girls have been together since freshman year,” Demaline said. “Our goal this year is definitely to go to state again as a team.”

Free State won’t kick off its season until next Saturday, but when the Firebirds hit the alley for the first time all eyes will be on a loaded boys team.

Despite losing six seniors off of last year’s team, FSHS returns more than a dozen bowlers capable of scoring big in varsity competitions.

“The boys are going to be very competitive this season,” Free State coach Anita Carlson said. “These guys will have a good chance of another top-three finish at state, if not better.”

Free State, which placed second at state in 2007, will be led by a large group of returning letter winners. Sophomore Rob Wagner tops the list in terms of achievements. Wagner finished third at state individually last season.

The Firebirds are led by a trio of seniors – Alex Hardman, Josh Herschell and Tyler Kring – and will be backed by junior returners Evan Taylor and Aaron Bernhardt.

Joseph Vannicola, Connor King, Ben Kressig, Jake Woodward, Zach Mehl and Chris Jimboy all factor into the competition for varsity action at some point this season.

As for the Free State girls, Carlson said this year’s team has a shot to be the first to reach state as a squad.

But they won’t do it without strong contributions from the entire team.

“We have a group of six that, if we shoot our 150s and 160s, we’ll be very strong,” Carlson said. “You can’t win it with one bowler, and we’re really excited about the team we have.”

Juniors Lanae Spencer, Amelia Firns-Hubert and Becky Gladman are among the top returners, while Bailey Carlson is the lone senior.

Sophomore Gretel Briand and freshman Michelle Scheiffer also have looked strong in the early going, and they’ll be pushed by Megan Bastemeyer, Shae Springer, Robin Letherman, Elizabeth Love and Shannon Bergin.

Free State opens its season Saturday, Dec. 12 at Royal Crest Lanes in Lawrence.