The Jefferson City bench sprung up almost as one.
During the 182-pound match in Monday night's wrestling dual at Fleming Fieldhouse, Rashaun Woods of Jefferson City finished a throw to put Adrian Palmer of Lebanon on his back.
Woods' teammates jumped out of their chairs in appreciation as the coaching staff scooted them back away from the mat. But the coaches were just as appreciative of the move, if not the reaction.
"It was fun, it was exciting, especially against such a quality wrestler," Jays coach Phil Cagle said after Jefferson City opened the season with a 49-18 win against Lebanon.
Woods went on to capture a 13-6 decision. It was a big win for Woods, who finished sixth in Class 4 at 182 last season. He lost to Palmer in last year's district tournament.
"Rashaun is a good athlete and he's working hard," Cagle said. "He was able to keep tremendous body position throughout that match, they were trying to get to his head and a throw, but we worked against it."
Woods came out firing, jumping to a 7-1 lead in the opening minute. He led 9-3 after one period and 11-4 after two.
"He's a year older and more mature," Cagle said. "That's a big difference."
The victory was one in a stretch where Jefferson City won 10 of 11 matches. The Jays won five matches by fall and another by technical fall Monday, none of which made it to the third period.
"The kids feel good about it," Cagle said. "We just need to keep doing our things and good things will happen."
Winning by first-period falls were Peter Kuster at 126, Tanner Irwin at 138 and Jalen Martin at 195. Winning in the second period by pins were Jacob Brune at 160 and Logan Moriarity at 170.
At 220, Mekhi Burnley won by technical fall in 3:34.
"He knows not to get caught under people, so he decided to go takedowns," Cagle said.
Christian Mayberry won 13-3 at 132 for the Jays. Gavin DeWitt, a senior transfer from Ozark, won 12-4 at 152 in his Jefferson City debut.
At 145, Zack Hurley dropped an 8-6 decision in overtime for Jefferson City.
Cagle was a little concerned in the preseason with three inexperienced wrestlers at the top of the lineup and another at the end.
And while the foursome finished 1-3 in dual, Cagle saw some potential.
"I am so proud of those kids, they all fought," he said. "You can tell with more experience they are going to get a lot better."
Addison Canale, a sophomore, got the win in the group. He led 5-1 after one period, saw that advantage cut to 5-4 early in the third period only to close with an 8-4 victory.
Falling were freshman Garrett Butell at 106 (LBF), freshman Sam Martin at 113 (6-1) and sophomore Kane Carpenter at 285 (LBF).
It was Carpenter's first-ever match.
"He's a good athlete and he's going to get better," Cagle said.
Jefferson City is off until a dual Dec. 8 at Camdenton.
"Now it's time to go back to work," Cagle said.
In Monday's JV dual, the Jays won the final three matches on their way to a 38-30 victory against the Yellowjackets.