Things are starting to click for the Helias Crusaders. Even if they aren't quite at full strength.
"We looked pretty crisp," Helias wrestling coach Travis Reinsch said after the Crusaders stopped the Moberly Spartans 47-9 in a dual Thursday night at Rackers Fieldhouse. "We have a couple of kids who are banged up, a couple more battling back from the flu.
"But all in all, I'm pretty pleased."
The Crusaders won 11 of the 14 matches in the dual and didn't give up a takedown in any of the victories.
"We did a lot of good things on our feet," Reinsch said. "We've spent a lot of time on that in practice the past couple of weeks."
After Dylan Linsenbardt made quick work of his opponent at 103 pounds, winning by fall in 1:28, Ryan Mankin won by pin in 3:48 at 112 pounds.
"It may have been the first match where he put everything together," Reinsch said. "He was good on finishing his moves the correct way and using his leverage to his advantage."
Mankin led 5-0 after the first period, then got an escape and takedown early in the second before getting the fall.
"Ryan is getting more confident," Reinsch said. "And I think he's developing into a very good wrestler because of that."
Logan Shea then took a 5-4 decision at 119.
"He wrestled well against a tough kid," Reinsch said. "Logan took some good aggressive shots."
After Aaron Mankin lost by decision at 125, Blake Wenzel got career win No. 110 with a fall in :37 at 130.
At 135, Logan Gaines dominated from the start in winning by technical fall.
"On his feet and controlling the tempo of the match, Logan wrestled very smart and racked up a lot of points," Reinsch said. "He's feeling more comfortable with his moves."
Reinsch said a big part of Gaines' development is because he's working with Ty Loethen in the practice room.
"He is being pushed every day in practice and he's getting better," Reinsch said. "He doesn't have an easy practice, he's a hard worker and it's paying off for him."
Helias got one other fall in the dual, with Josh Scheuler winning in 1:08. Winning by decision for the Crusaders were Matt Anderson at 145, Loethen at 152, Luke Pecher at 160, Clayton Roark at 189 and Charlie Oberkrom at 285.
Also losing by decision for the Crusaders were Jeremy Carr at 140 and Luke Yarnell at 171.
Helias is back in action Saturday at the Branson Tournament. Action begins at 9 a.m.
In Thursday's JV dual, the Crusaders defeated the Spartans 42-31.