For the past few weeks, the Jefferson City Jays have looked at the Class 4 state wrestling tournament as the light at the end of the tunnel.
After a few bumps and bruises along the way dodging proverbial oncoming trains, the Jays have seven wrestlers ready to go as the tournament begins at 5 p.m. today at Mizzou Arena.
"We're happy with that with the year we've had," Jays coach Phil Cagle said. "When you're coming in on snowy days for practice, when you're working hard for a lot of days in the row, it can be difficult.
"But we've made it through it, we've overcome a lot."
At 145 pounds, senior Peter Kuster is a four-time qualifier for Jefferson City after claiming the district title last Saturday in Springfield.
A runner-up at 138 last year, Kuster (42-5) will open against Holt senior Max Worth (36-18). Worth was a qualifier at 126 last season.
"Peter has been wrestling really smart against good competition," Cagle said. "He's got intensity that I've never seen from him."
Reece Neighbors (29-9), a senior, returns to the state tournament at 152 for Jefferson City. He will face Lafayette senior Anthony Michaels (27-4), a three-time qualifier who finished sixth at 145 last season, in his opening match.
"This may be the toughest weight class in the state," Cagle said. "But Reece is right there with them and he has the ability to get a medal."
Neighbors advanced by taking third in districts.
"Reece had the biggest smile on his face when he walked off the mat after winning that match," Cagle said. "Those are the type of things that make great memories for these kids."
Brandon Backues is Jefferson City's third returning qualifier. Back at state at 220, Backues (32-4), a sophomore who finished second at districts, will open against Marquette junior Marco Perla (46-9).
"He's had a great year," Cagle said. "Mentally, he is so strong and he will battle and battle."
At 106, junior Garrett Butel (31-15) finished second in the district tournament. He will face Francis Howell freshman J.T. Roberts (22-16) today.
Butel didn't wrestle in the postseason as a freshman before falling in the district bubble match as a sophomore.
"It's a process and Garrett has made the steps," Cagle said. "He's learned as he's gone along."
At 113, Jeremiah Wallace made a surprise run through the district tournament to finish fourth to advance to state.
"He overachieved," Cagle said. "He did a wonderful job at districts wrestling the matches he needed to wrestle. It shows the hard work he put in."
Wallace (22-21), a junior, will meet Staley sophomore Khyler Brewer (51-5) in the first round. Brewer finished third at 106 last season.
At 138, William Kuster took third in districts. Kuster, one of just two sophomores in the weight class, will meet Francis Howell North senior Jacob Smith (45-4) in the first round. Smith was a state qualifier at 132 in 2017, at 126 in 2016 and at 106 in 2015.
It will be the fourth time Kuster and Smith have wrestled this season. They split two matches in the Capital City Invitational, while Smith won at the Thrasher Tournament.
"We've beaten him before and we have a lot of confidence in Will," Cagle said.
At 285, senior Nate McKaye (40-9) finished second in the district. He will meet Fort Osage sophomore Ikani Tuiono (38-13) in his opening match.
It is just the second year McKaye has ever wrestled.
"There are guys that have been wrestling 5-6 years that don't make it to state," Cagle said.
The Jays lost two returning state qualifiers - Sam Rackers and Tyler Bise - to injuries this season. That put a damper on Jefferson City's postseason hopes as a team.
"I know a lot of teams can say this, but we've lost some good wrestlers because they were hurt," Cagle said. "I think we would have maybe won a district title if we'd have been healthy and at full strength."
But the healthy Jays have done their best this season.
"I don't know anybody who gets any better if they don't work. And we've worked," Cagle said. "My dad always said if you want the money, you have to work for it. And the state tournament is the money for all the work we've put in."
The state tournament will run through Saturday.