Preparing for the Class 6A state tournament throughout the week, Free State High’s boys golf team has plenty of experience to lean on.

The Firebirds return three golfers who played at state last season: senior Jack Junge, junior Tate Steele and sophomore Landon Berquist. Junge is a four-time state qualifier, tying for 21st place last year.

All three of them are hoping to build off their previous experience when the 6A state tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. today at Auburn Hills Golf Course in Wichita.

At regionals last week, Free State took third place in the team standings behind top-five individual finishes from Berquist and Steele. Junior Will Cook, sophomore Dylan Sommer and freshman Andrew Park will play at state for the first time in their careers.

Berquist tied for 15th at state last season, carding a team-best 77, but he’s never competed in a tournament at Auburn Hills.

“It can be hard to play a course for the first time,” said Berquist, who played Lawrence Country Club with swing coach Drew Cote on Saturday. “You don’t know how the greens break and you don’t know what the holes look like. It can add a few strokes.”

Steele is a rare breed of wrestler and golfer, noting he is asked which sport he prefers all of the time.

“It’s not a common combination,” Steele said. “I don’t know why because I think they go great together. They’re two different seasons. Wrestling is a lot more physically tough and both have the mental factor.

“I’m a lot better wrestler than I am a golfer, but I think I like golf better. I love that you can always change something, always do something new in golf.”

Lawrence High’s boys golf team is sending three seniors: Cole Brungardt, Thomas Taber and Garrett Wildeman.

Brungardt and Wildeman competed at state in 2015, their sophomore season. Wildeman shot an 83 for 62nd place and Brungardt followed with an 86.