WARDSVILLE - Having a full wrestling lineup can be a luxury at the Class 1 level.
It can also be the difference between winning and losing duals.
Blair Oaks fielded a full 14-man lineup Monday night in tri-dual action against Marceline and Warsaw and it proved to be the difference as the Falcons finished the action with a 2-0 record at the middle school.
"It was a good night, we had to go against some tough competition," Blair Oaks Tim Karsten said. "I know Marceline and Warsaw are a little short in their lineups, but where they had guys, there were a lot of good ones."
Blair Oaks opened with a 42-36 victory against Marceline.
The dual began at 170 pounds and the Falcons got off to a good start as Paul Karsten got a first-period fall, as did Riley Boeckman at 182. Blair Oaks won the next three weight classes by forfeit on its way to the team victory.
Frankie Falotico won by a first-period fall at 145 for Blair Oaks, which won one other match by forfeit.
Blair Oaks then topped Tri-County Conference foe Warsaw 50-26.
The dual started at 195 and Scott Farley of the Falcons made his season debut with a win by fall in just :27. At 120, Dalton Bridges made his season debut a successful one as well with a pin in 1:18.
"We're hoping to see them get more mat time," Tim Karsten said
Paul Karsten and Boeckman closed the dual with Warsaw just like they opened the one against Warsaw, as both won by first-period falls.
Landon Moore had Blair Oaks' other win on the mat, taking a 3-1 decision at 220.
Blair Oaks won three matches by forfeit against Warsaw.
"There were different people at different times that had to step up for us to win these duals," Tim Karsten said.
The Falcons are off until after the Christmas break.
"We're still a little bit behind because of football, but after Christmas, we're really going to get after it," Karsten said. "Success brings more success. I'm happier the deeper the football team goes because it seems to motivate those guys for wrestling season.
"It's good to take our time and have them ready for late in the season. I saw some things we need to work on, some details. The break can be family time, but we'll get some time to get our work in."
Blair Oaks (4-0, 2-0 Tri-County) is back in action at home Jan, 6 against Buffalo and Priory. It will be Senior Night for the Falcons.