At the beginning of the season, Free State High girls golfers struggled with their swings and put up inconsistent scores.

That changed in the last few weeks, when the Firebirds improved their play, and it led to strong scores at their regional, when they qualified as a team for the Class 6A state tournament. They will begin teeing off at 9:20 a.m. today at the Topeka Country Club.

It’s the second straight year the Firebirds have qualified as a team for state, finishing 11th among 12 teams last season.

“They are competitors, and they want to do well, but I think in the beginning they were putting a little too much pressure on themselves,” FSHS coach Layne Meyer said. “I think once they saw the results weren’t as good as they had hoped, I think they just got back to just playing and not worrying so much about the results.”

Senior Emily Bermel, who finished second in the Sunflower League and seventh at regionals, is a three-time state qualifier, along with senior teammate Karen Campbell.

The Firebirds have plenty of leadership with seniors Savannah Reeb, Erin Meyers and Sydney Buller. There’s also sophomore Anne Goebel, who finished third on the team at regionals and was on last year’s state tournament team.

“Those seniors made it their goal this year to get back to state as a team from the very first day of practice,” Meyer said. “To see them accomplish that was a lot of for me, and I know they’re really excited.”

What’s the team’s goal at state?

“I guess just do the best that we can,” said Meyers, a two-time state qualifier. “Just go out there and have a good last tournament for the five seniors.”

Their coach just hopes they can enjoy the return trip to state and swing the same way they have for the past few weeks.

“My only concern is that they’re too excited, or I hope they don’t put too much pressure on themselves,” Meyer said. “Just trust their abilities and just go out play.”