Ready or not, the wrestling season is here for the Helias Crusaders.
"They need to compete, they've worked hard, it's time," Helias head coach Bryant Gaines said as the Crusaders prepared for today's season opener at the Hannibal Quad. "We're about to find out if we're ready."
Gaines took over as Helias head coach earlier this school year on an interim basis. He was a two-time state champion for the Crusaders before wrestling collegiately at Truman State.
"We're working hard," he said. "We've been doing a lot of basic stuff, there aren't a lot of trick moves, it's just a matter of working on the fundamentals."
The Crusaders have 28 wrestlers out this season after ending last season with just 17.
"Everybody has been staying, we haven't lost anybody who's come to practice," Gaines said.
Gaines is getting help from several assistants, including former Helias head coach Mike Jeffries, former Crusader wrestlers Jeff Berendzen and Logan Shea, as well as David Nicolaescu.
"I don't know if in charge is the right way to put it, we're a group right now," Gaines said. "I know if somebody has a question, I'm the one that has to answer it.
"But when it comes to coaching, it's a group effort."
Nick Gaines, a junior, is Helias' lone returning state qualifier. Gaines has qualified for state in each of his first two years for the Crusaders.
The tentative starting lineup for the Crusaders includes Evan Winder at 106, Randy Salaz at 113, Zack Carr at 126, Drake Winder at 132, Nick Schnieders at 138, Gaines at 145, Will Farmer at 152, Kaleb Davis at 160, Nick Carr at 170, Matt Backes at 182, Malik Davis at 195, Jake Burnett at 220 and Justin Prenger at 285.
Helias will be open at 120 at the start of the season. Logan Distler, a senior, is injured but is expected to return after Christmas.
"We've got seven guys who are a good group to start with and we're expecting to see good things from the other guys as well," Bryant Gaines said.
In the past, Helias has hosted the Kickoff Classic this weekend. Instead, the Crusaders are going to St. Louis for the Fox Duals along with Class 4 runner-up Holt and traditional power Staley.
"The teams there are tough," Gaines said. "We're going to get tested, but we have to wrestle and see how we do. But this is where we want to be in the future."
Helias had two qualifiers and scored three points at state last season. Looking down the road, Gaines said a team goal is to have six wrestlers advance to the state tournament this season.
"With the talent we have, it's something we can accomplish," Gaines said. "Then when we get there, let's see what we do. I'd like to finish in the top 20 at state.
"We're setting some high goals, but I feel like we have the guys that can do it."
Gaines has high long-term aspirations for the Crusaders as well.
"I want to see it back to where it was," he said. "We're not as good anymore, so the kids aren't coming out. But we've had three kids come out who never thought about wrestling before. That's a start.
"The numbers aren't 60 or 80 like we've had in the past. We've had JV teams in the past that could go to varsity tournaments and win them. That's my goal."
Gaines, who had been an assistant coach at Helias the past two seasons, accepted the head-coaching position for one year.
"But the more I've gotten into it, things could change," he said. "You never know."