The first one was easy, the second got a little tense.
But both turned out to be victories.
The Jefferson City Jays opened the 2019 wrestling calendar Thursday night by winning duals against the Ozark Tigers (66-11) and the Nixa Eagles (38-27) at Fleming Fieldhouse.
"The kids battled and battled and battled," Jays coach Phil Cagle said. "We made some positive strides tonight in both duals."
Six Jays finished with 2-0 records on the night.
Michael Friederich, a freshman, won both of his matches by first-period falls at 138 pounds.
"He's had a bit of a tough season for far, but we've stayed positive with him and he came out and did a great job tonight," Cagle said.
Brandon Backues also won twice by fall at 220, once in the first period, the other in the third.
Sam Rackers at 152 and Dawson Prenger both posted one win by fall and another by technical fall. Will Kuster won by fall and by major decision at 145.
Mathias Wieberg won once by fall and then by a 4-2 decision in overtime.
"Mathias was maybe .500 on the JV last year, but he's worked so hard to become a better wrestler," Cagle said. "He's done a very good job."
Seven Jays finished 1-1 - Anakin Gray at 106, Garrett Butel at 113, Hunter Walling at 126, Clayton Hurley at 132, Gabe Zimmerman at 160, Brant Aulber at 182 and Josh Copeland at 195.
"As long as you're aggressive you can make things happen and that's what happened tonight," Cagle said. "Even in the matches we were behind, we stayed aggressive and didn't back off."
Cagle was especially pleased with Walling's performance Thursday. He picked up a key 4-0 win to help seal the dual victory against Nixa.
"He did a great job," Cagle said. "He listened and allowed himself to be coached and I think that showed up in his results."
Copeland was in the lineup in place of senior Ian Cote, who is out for the season after having elbow surgery on an injury at practice during the break.
"It's unfortunate for Ian because we were figuring on him to be a state qualifier and maybe a state medalist for us," Cagle said. "Ian is such a good young man, it's a tough way to end your high school career."
Jefferson City took the drama out of the Ozark dual by winning nine of the first 10 matches by fall.
"I was surprised by that," Cagle said.
Jefferson City got off to another good start against Nixa, leading 26-0 after five matches. The Eagles then cut the deficit to 35-24 with two matches remaining. That's when Hurley got his win by decision to ensure the victory for the Jays.
Ozark and Nixa are both in Jefferson City's district tournament.
"We had some kids who helped themselves, we had a couple who hurt themselves and they are going to have to overcome that later in the season," Cagle said.
This was Cagle's first time matside this season. He missed the first semester with health issues.
Cagle officially returned to practice Wednesday, then got back in the classroom Thursday.
"It's great to be back around the kids again," he said. "Just to see them laugh and have fun and work hard and form a bond.
"It was absolute fun. You don't know how much you miss it until you're out of it. I've been looking forward to this night for a long time. The coaches and the kids have done a great job to improve and now it's time to continue that improvement."
Jefferson City is back in action Wednesday in a double dual against Battle and Eldon at Fleming Fieldhouse. Action will begin at 5:30 p.m.