When Lawrence High’s girls bowlers found out they qualified for the Class 6A state tournament last weekend, they were flooded with emotions.

The Lions earned the third — and final — spot at state from their regional, edging Manhattan by a razor-thin 29 pins.

“It was crazy,” LHS senior Morgan Daniels remembered. “That’s why I think we were all so emotional because we just barely bumped into it.”

After qualifying for state, Daniels said the hard part is over.

The Lions hope to enjoy themselves when they compete at the state tournament, beginning at 9:30 a.m. today at Northrock Lanes in Wichita. In addition to the LHS girls, Free State’s boys bowling team, along with two individuals from the girls team, qualified for state.

“I’m honestly not scared because we made it,” said Daniels, who competed at state in 2015. “I’m not like, ‘Oh my gosh, we have to win.’ But it’s just like we made it and we have to try our best.”

Daniels is one of the three LHS bowlers with previous state experience. Holly Evans took fifth at last year’s state tournament with a 656 three-game series and Diamonique Vann was 56th with a 465.

The state newcomers will include Renea McNemee, Hannah Reed and Carli Stellwagon. Reed bowled a season-best series 567 three-game series during regionals, which earned her sixth place.

Free State’s boys bowling team returns to state after a one year absence. Senior Alex Jimenez was fifth at the 2015 state tournament with a 722 series, and the only FSHS bowler with state experience.

Free State senior Cameron Edens said he doesn’t start becoming nervous until he’s at the lanes in warmups, so he’s excited about his first trip to state, receiving some tips from coaches and Jimenez on what to expect.

Edens bowled a 616 series at regional, joining Jimenez and senior Zach Lockwood in the top-15 placers.

“Knowing who made it to state, there’s only a few schools that are higher than us seeded-wise,” FSHS coach Burton Gepford said. “Knowing what we shot at the Sunflower (League) tournament, we know that we can probably compete for a possible state championship.”

Free State’s girls bowling team had two individuals qualify for state: freshman Nicole Miele and junior Morgan Wright.

“Since I’ve coached, this is the largest group of bowlers that we’ve taken to state” Gepford said.