COLUMBIA, Mo. - A one-point decision or a pin, it doesn't matter. All the Helias Crusaders want are victories in the Class 3 state wrestling tournament.
They did a good job of that Thursday as four of the five Crusader qualifiers remain alive in the tournament at Mizzou Arena.
"It was a pretty good first day," Helias coach Bryant Gaines said. "It's all about wins, we don't care about anything else right now."
Helias brought three district champions to state and all three won by fall in the first round.
"Those guys all looked great," Gaines said.
At 120 pounds, Evan Winder gave up a takedown in the opening seconds of his match against Hillsboro sophomore James Short. But the Crusader junior turned that into a reversal just seconds later, putting Short on his back on his way to a win in just :44.
"It looked like Evan tried something, but didn't have it, so he gave up the takedown," Gaines said. "But he turned it right round."
Winder (23-8) will meet Blake Bills (38-13), a senior from Platte County, today in the quarterfinals.
At 152, sophomore Jackson Careaga won his opening round match for the second straight year with a pin in 4:42 against Festus senior Cole Bennett.
Careaga led 4-0 after one period, but Bennett cut that advantage to 4-3 heading into the third. Careaga then got a reversal and worked Bennett onto his back for the victory.
"Jackson had a little bit of a injury, but he got back at it and got the win," Gaines said.
Careaga (40-11) will take on Belton senior Joe Biondo (49-3) in the quarterfinals this afternoon. Biando was sixth at 145 last season.
At 160, senior Nick Schnieders won in his state tournament debut. Schnieders got a first-period takedown to lead 2-0, then scored a reversal early in the second in his match against Warrensburg sophomore Josh Tomich. Schnieders then got the win by fall in 3:17.
"Nick wrestled fine, it was a good start for him," Gaines said.
Schnieders (46-11) will meet DeSoto junior Logan Zimmerman (39-4) in the quarterfinals today. Zimmerman was sixth at 152 last year.
Zack Carr of the Crusaders remains alive at 132. In his opener against Platte County sophomore Austin Kincaid, Carr trailed 2-1 after one period before tying the match at 3 heading into the third. Carr got an escape to take a 4-3 lead, but Kincaid got a late takedown to get a 5-4 victory.
Carr (41-13) rebounded to dominate his first-round wrestleback match, beating McCluer junior Jaylon Whitted 16-2.
"That was a good match for Zack," Gaines said.
Randy Salaz dropped his two matches Friday at 126.
The Crusader junior opened against Pacific junior Noah Patton. Salaz led 2-0 after one period, but lost by fall in 3:48. Salaz then dropped a 4-1 decision to Smithville senior Jared Thornbrugh in the first round of wrestlebacks.
Salaz ends the season at 31-12.
"For the first time here, I think it may have gotten to him a little bit," Gaines said.
Helias is 13th in the Class 3 team standings after the opening day with 14 points.
"We're going to have some tough matches today," Gaines said. "But we'll see, I think we have a chance to get some more wins."
The quarterfinals and second round of wrestlebacks will begin at 1:30 p.m. today. The semifinals and third-round wrestlebacks will follow at 6 p.m.