Size matters, even at 106 pounds.
Helias freshman Evan Winder wrestled his way into the title match Saturday night at 106 in the Capital City Invitational at Fleming Fieldhouse in Jefferson City where he met Kelvin Eblen of Park Hill.
Eblen, a sophomore ranked No. 1 in Class 4, measures a good six inches above Winder in height.
"Evan's still a 98-pounder wrestling at 106," Helias coach Bryan Gaines said.
Eblen used that size advantage to its fullest advantage, winning the title match by technical fall early in the third period.
"(Evan) came off the mat and told me he was sorry," Gaines said. "I told him he didn't have a thing to be sorry about, he did great.
"He wrestled really, really well. I think wrestling-wise, they were pretty even, but with the size difference, he couldn't do anything."
Winder's runner-up finish was the highlight to the two-day Invitational for the Crusaders, who finished 10th in the 12-team field.
"We wrestled well overall," Gaines said. "I was pretty ticked (Friday) night and let them know it, maybe that sunk in a little bit because we looked a lot better (Saturday)."
Nick Gaines finished fifth at 138 for the Crusaders, going 4-1 on Saturday.
"He beat a couple of guys he lost to before, so he's wrestling better," Bryant Gaines said.
Randy Salaz at 113 and Drake Winder at 126 both finished sixth. Winder suffered a shoulder injury in his last match, the severity of which is unknown.
"We're going to wait a couple of days and see what happens," Gaines said.
Matt Backes at 170 and Jordan Kemple at 195 both finished seventh. Each closed the Invitational with a win by fall.
Zack Carr at 120 and Nick Schnieders at 132 were ninth.
"They just were facing nails, they were wrestling guys who were really good," Gaines said. "But they were wrestling hard."
Nick Carr battled injuries at 160 and took 10th for the Crusaders.
Helias is back in action Wednesday at home against Jefferson City. The junior varsity dual will start at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity around 7 p.m.