Wichita ? Competing in the Class 6A state bowling championships is nothing new for most of the members of the state-bound Free State High boys and the Lawrence High girls teams.

The two experienced squads will attempt to claim the first state crown in city high school history today at Thunderbird Lanes.

“At regionals we showed a bit of our veteran-ship with people who have been there and know what it’s like,” FSHS coach Anita Carlson said. “They know the kind of excitement that comes into play at state and the nerves that try to take over.”

The Firebirds boys boast three state competitors from last year’s second-place team, including third-place finisher Rob Wagner.

Josh Herschell and Tyler Kring, the other two members from last year’s squad, will be joined by Alex Hardman, who finished sixth in last Saturday’s regional competition.

Aaron Bernhardt and Evan Taylor will get their first taste of state competition – which starts at 9:30 a.m. for the boys – with Connor Kring, serving as FSHS’s alternate.

“I’m sure there will be some nerves that will come in to play for those guys,” Carlson said, “but I think our veteran bowlers will help them through that.”

Lane assignments are determined by pairing together the three third-place teams from regionals, so the Firebirds will be bowling with some familiar foes – fellow Sunflower League school Olathe North and defending state champion Maize.

Lawrence’s girls have a few more seasoned state competitors with Jessica Wyatt and Tiffany Demaline, who finished 10th and 16th, respectively, in last year’s championship.

Alexah Gudnekauf, Becca Stack and Malory Hughes-Pfeifer also were on girls squad that finished fourth a year ago. Danielle Husted will be the fresh face filling in the sixth spot.

“They haven’t really talked a lot about state because, I think for some of them, talking about it makes them a little more nervous,” Lawrence coach Brandi Perry said. “So it’s been a pretty laid-back and calm week.”

Stephanie Reed will stand by as the Lions’ alternate when they begin bowling at 1 p.m.

The Lawrence girls also will be paired up with Olathe North and will bowl Wichita Northwest as well.

LHS’s Ben Wyatt, the lone Lions boys qualifier, shouldn’t have much of a problem going it alone. He already has experienced what it’s like on the big stage. Wyatt finished fourth at state last year as a freshman and will look to improve from his ninth-place finish a week ago at regionals.