WARDSVILLE, Mo. - Strength in numbers hasn't been a motto for the Blair Oaks wrestling team this season. It has been more along the lines of quality over quantity.
With only nine wrestlers participating at districts last weekend, the Falcons advanced three to the Class 1 state championships, which begin at 10 a.m. today at Mizzou Arena.
"Our district is no doubt the toughest in Class 1," Blair Oaks coach Mike DeMilia said. "We knew we were up against it, but we got four guys to the heartbreak round, and unfortunately, only one got through. We had a pretty good tournament overall."
A year ago, four of Blair Oaks' five state wrestlers were seniors. This season, all three will be returning next season, and all three are honorable mentions in their respective weight classes on MissouriWrestling.com.
Junior Dalton Bridges, the Falcons' only returning state qualifier, won a district title at 126 pounds and enters state with a 27-5 record. He will face Mid-Buchanan's Justin Roth (39-17), a first-time state qualifier, in the first round.
Bridges was also the only state medalist last season for the Falcons, taking sixth place at 126.
"I think he can take what he did last year and carry it over to this year," DeMilia said. "He got off to a bit of a slow start, but he's wrestled really well lately. He had three ranked kids in his district bracket, so for him to win that, it shows he can compete with anybody."
Junior Ben Thomas finished runner-up in districts at 145. Thomas (40-10) will face Hallsville senior Luke West (41-3) in the first round.
The two did not wrestle head-to-head during the Tri-County dual between Blair Oaks and Hallsville on Dec. 7. West, a three-time state medalist and the No. 2 wrestler at 145, finished second in state at 138 last season.
"We know we have our hands full, but I'm confident that Ben can go in there and keep it close," DeMilia said. "If you can keep a match close and get it to the third period, that puts pressure on (West) and we'll have an advantage."
Sophomore Kyler Griep missed about three weeks prior to districts due to injury, but he returned to take third place and qualify for state at 152.
Griep (31-10) matches up with Lawson sophomore Cade Killingsworth (36-9), who took fifth place last season at 138 and is currently ranked sixth in the state.
"Kyler has grown up a lot in the last year," DeMilia said. "He has matured mentally. He's very confident, his matchup's not a real tough one and I think he's right there with that kid."
DeMilia said this week has been focused on fine-tuning moves and techniques, working on what each wrestler does best.
"This time of year, you're not going to improve much on technique," DeMilia said. "We are what we are, we got here doing the things we do. We're just trying to stay in shape, keep the body going.
"We're just trying to make sure on Thursday that we're at our best."
The state tournament will continue through Saturday.
III
The Eldon Mustangs qualified four wrestlers for the Class 2 state championships, including a pair of state medalists.
Senior Trenton Dillon (21-0), who became the first Eldon wrestler to reach a championship match last season, will try to finish his career as the Mustangs' first state champion. The top-ranked Dillon will open today's first round at Mizzou Arena against John Liberto (25-19) of St. Pius X: Kansas City at 160 pounds.
Junior Dawson Brandt (49-8) won a district title last week at 182 and will face Nick Wilson (24-12) of St. James in the first round. Brandt took fifth place at 170 last season and is currently ranked No. 2 at 182.
Sophomore Kaden Dillon (42-12), ranked fifth at 195, will face Mexico's Hale Fuemmeler (32-15) today. Junior Isaiah Simmons (37-11) matches up against St. Clair's Dalton Thompson (40-8), ranked No. 5, at 120.
School of the Osage's lone state qualifier, senior Austin Magnuson (34-2), is ranked No. 4 at 152. He will go against Owensville's Blaine Schoenfeld (29-20) in today's opening round.
III
The Versailles Tigers, who won their third straight Tri-County Conference championship earlier this season, have qualified three wrestlers for the Class 1 state championships, which begin today at Mizzou Arena.
Junior Michael Trotter (44-5), who finish fifth at state last season, will take on Trenton Holloway (46-10) of Summit Christian in today's first round at 182 pounds. Trotter is ranked fourth in his weight class, while Holloway is an honorable mention.
Senior Kooper Wilson (41-9) starts his state tournament against Lafayette County's Ethan Skinner (39-7), who is ranked No. 5 at 138. Sophomore Payton Lafoy (31-17) is paired against Stanberry's Dylon Pappert (23-5) at 120.
The Fatima Comets qualified a pair of freshman for the state tournament.
Jason Strope (29-10) faces fourth-ranked Keegan Allen (23-2) of Gallatin in the first round, while Lucas Laux (34-5), ranked No. 3 at 113, opens against Lutheran: St Charles' Adam Runge (24-20).