Crusaders open Missouri Duals with 1-2 record

Helias junior Colden Imhoff looks to make a move against Lebanon's Jon Berry during a match Friday night in the Missouri Duals at Rackers Fieldhouse.
Helias junior Colden Imhoff looks to make a move against Lebanon's Jon Berry during a match Friday night in the Missouri Duals at Rackers Fieldhouse.

The Helias Crusaders won one of three duals Friday night.

But some 1-2 records are better than others. And this is one of the better ones.

"I think we had a pretty good night," Helias coach Bryant Gaines said. "We battled, we fought hard."

The Crusaders dropped duals to what may have been the two best teams in the Gold Division - Lebanon and Neosho.

"Everybody realizes they are probably the No. 1 and 2 teams on our side," Gaines said. "Now we're going to have to pick ourselves up and have a very good day (today)."

Helias sandwiched losses to Lebanon (43-27) and Neosho (49-19) around a 52-24 victory against Owensville.

"We wrestled Lebanon tough up and down the lineup," Gaines said. "And it's the most matches we've won against (Neosho) in some time."

Helias led 21-0 after four matches against Lebanon and won four matches in the dual with Neosho.

One downside to the night was at 145 pounds, where senior Dustin Luebbert suffered a separated shoulder in his match against Owensville. He will be out for an indefinite period.

"That was a downer," Gaines said. "He's one of our best wrestlers, it's a huge loss. That was a punch to all of us, it put a damper on all of us."

Evan Winder at 120, Randy Salaz at 126 and Nick Schnieders at 160 were all 3-0 for the Crusaders. Finishing 2-1 were Aleksey Salaz at 113, Jackson Careaga at 152 and Colden Imhoff at 170.

Helias will open against Grain Valley at 9 a.m. today before taking on Ozark and Battle in the afternoon. After division action, the Gold and Blue Divisions will combine for trophy matches to wrap up the day.

"The last three division duals will all be tough, especially since we'll be open at least three weights now with Dustin's injury," Gaines said. "We're going to need some pins."

The top three teams from each division will wrestle in Rackers Fieldhouse, while the next three will square off in the Helias Gym

"I want to be in (the Fieldhouse)," Gaines said. "That means we're going to have come out with a great effort to get ourselves into that position."

Helias will open against Grain Valley at 9 a.m. today before taking on Ozark and Battle in the afternoon. The trophy matches should begin around 3 p.m.