Winning may truly be contagious.
Coming off an unexpectedly good performance last week at the Kinloch Classic in Springfield, the Helias Crusaders swept duals from the Rock Bridge Bruins and Camdenton Lakers on Tuesday night at Rackers Fieldhouse.
"The guys are working hard," Helias coach Bryant Gaines said. "As long as we keep doing that, I think we're going to have results like this."
Helias was aiming for a top-10 finish at last week's Classic, but outdid that and came home with a sixth-place finish. On Tuesday, the Crusaders won nearly 80 percent of the contested matches to claim two victories.
"You can really tell the guys are all pulling for each other," Gaines said.
Helias reshuffled its lineup as some wrestlers dropped down in weight.
"There were a lot of sacrifices made by the guys, it shows how much they are into it for each other and to make the team better," Gaines said.
Eight Crusaders went 2-0 in their matches.
At 113 pounds, Randy Salaz won both of his matches by fall.
"He beat two decent kids," Gaines said. "He got into his mind he was going to be aggressive and went out there and took care of business."
At 138, Nick Gaines won by fall before defeating Zion Vasquez of Camdenton 7-0. Last year, Gaines dropped a 2-1 decision to Vasquez in the bubble match at districts that decided a berth at the state tournament.
"Nick came out and took care of him tonight," Bryant Gaines said.
Dustin Luebbert moved up to 145 and finished 2-0 with a win by fall and an overtime decision.
"He's probably a true 132, but he wrestled up for the team and he did great," Gaines said. "His tenacity was off the charts."
Also going 2-0, with one win by forfeit, were Drake Winder at 126, Nick Schnieders at 132, Matt Backes at 182 and Jordan Kemple at 195. Schnieders, Backes and Kemple won their matches by fall, while Winder won by technical fall. Evan Winder won by a pair of forfeits at 106.
Going 1-1 were Zach Carr at 120, Nick Carr at 160, Spencer Ainsworth at 220 and Mason Field at 285.
One downside from the night was an injury to Andrew Bennett at 170. He was ahead 6-1 in his match against Rock Bridge before defaulting due to an apparent knee injury.
Helias was open at 152.
Helias is now 5-1 in regular-season duals.
The Crusaders are back in action Friday at Fleming Fieldhouse when Helias and Jefferson City will face Nixa and Ozark in duals. Action is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
Camdenton defeated Rock Bridge 45-18 in the first dual of the night.