There was work being done behind the scenes.
Last year, a talented senior class led Jefferson City to its third straight district tournament title and second-place finish at the Class 4 state wrestling tournament.
But in the practice room, there were some talented wrestlers just waiting and working for their varsity opportunities.
"We knew we had some talented JV kids behind those seniors," Jefferson City coach Phil Cagle said. "We just kept quiet about it."
Well, the secret's out heading to today's start of the state tournament at Mizzou Arena. Three of those JV wrestlers claimed individual district titles last Saturday and a fourth took second as the Jays advanced 10 wrestlers to state in dominating the district tournament in Lee's Summit.
"They were on our mat working with some very talented wrestlers last year," Cagle said. "You had to work hard on our practice room just to survive.
"They've done a great job of continuing the legacy that the classes before left them."
Jefferson City finished with five individual district champions in winning its fourth straight team title by nearly 100 points against runner-up Waynesville.
"It says our kids believe in what we're doing and they're working hard," Cagle said. "They know what we're doing works, it makes them better.
"As a coach, you can question if you're doing the right thing. But this helps us realize that we are doing the right thing."
The five champions, and the two runners-up, have set themselves up with decent first-round matchups. But Cagle is stressing to them that's all they did.
"We are not looking ahead, you have to be fully focused on your first-round match," he said. "If you don't do that, it can cost you and can make it very tough for you to be successful at a tournament as tough as the state tournament."
Jefferson City's district champions included:
Charlie Kusick (35-6) at 126. A senior making his first trip to state, he was one of last year's JV kids to win a district title.
"It's been fun and exciting to watch Charlie improve," Cagle said. "And in the past couple of weeks, he's really come into his own."
Kusick opens with Lindbergh sophomore Andrew Javier (31-13).
Peter Kuster (39-1) at 138 pounds. The junior, a three-time state qualifier, won the district title with a first-period fall last Saturday.
"That's the best match I've seen Peter wrestle all year," Cagle said. "He was dominant, he was physical, he was quick."
Kuster, who enters the tournament as the No. 1-ranked wrestler in his weight by MissouriWrestling.com, will meet Hazelwood Central senior Cameron Sharp (32-8) in the first round.
Christian Mayberry (38-5) at 145. The senior is a four-time state qualifier who won the district title despite being the No. 3 seed.
"I was impressed with the way he handled himself at district," Cagle said. "He beat the No. 2 seed in the semifinals, then the No. 1 seed in the final. He handled the pressure so well."
Mayberry, ranked No. 2 at his weight in the state, will square off with Blue Springs junior Payton Price (37-9) in his opener.
Tyler Bise (34-4) at 170. Bise, who spent last season on the JV, is a junior ranked No. 6.
"Ty has really come into his own," Cagle said. "He has worked so hard. He's a three-sport athlete and he knows what competition is about."
Bise will open the tournament against Truman sophomore Chas Schroeder (27-8).
Davonta Finney (29-10) at 285. Finney is the third JV wrestler to graduate to a district title.
"He is one of our biggest surprises," Cagle said. "He's just a second-year wrestler that has listened, taken instruction to heart. He's the nicest kid in the world and I'm so happy for him."
Finney will wrestle Hazelwood Central junior Norman Deverse (20-15) in his first-round match.
Taking second for the Jays were Reece Neighbors at 152 and Dennis Barnes at 160.
Neighbors (26-14), a JV wrestler last year, spent much of last week sick and defaulted out of his title match.
"He's improved throughout the season," Cagle said.
Neighbors will meet Staley senior Charles Genisio (48-8), ranked No. 4, in the opening round.
Barnes (29-4), a senior, is a four-time state qualifier.
"He knows what to expect up there," Cagle said.
Barnes is bidding to become an all-state athlete in three sports after previously earning the honors in football and track.
"That would be quite an accomplishment," Cagle said.
Barnes will wrestle Seckman sophomore Blake Fritz (27-16) to start his tournament.
Sam Rackers at 132 and Brandon Backues at 220 were both third at districts.
Rackers (31-11), a freshman, will meet Francis Howell Central junior Quentin Smith (20-8) in the first round.
"He's done a great job as a freshman in a tough weight class," Cagle said. "He's handled adversity pretty well all season."
Backues (16-7), a sophomore, missed the start of the season with an injury from football to claim a spot on the varsity.
"Brandon did a very good job in taking third," Cagle said.
Backues will wrestle Ruskin junior Ikenna Enechukwu (30-10) in the opening round.
Sam Martin (11-11), a sophomore, advanced to state for the Jays by taking fourth at 113. Martin, injured at the start of the season, entered the district tournament with a losing record.
"He got on a run and he's going to state," Cagle said. "He did the right things."
Martin is matched with Seckman sophomore Kai Orine (44-1) in the opening round. Orine is ranked No. 1 in the state.
Cagle said the team may have what appear to be modest goals heading into the three-day tournament.
"We would like to be the top 10 and maybe a little better if things go our way," he said. "We'll just have to wait and see.
"This has been a fun year, nobody expected much of anything out of us. But these kids had some goals and they've overcome some obstacles to achieve those goals and that makes it extra special. And maybe we can overachieve again this weekend."
Action begins at 5 p.m. today. The tournament runs through Saturday.