Carter Prenger did it again.
Earlier this season, Prenger won by fall against defending Class 1 113-pound state champion Brayden Dubbs of Centralia. Friday night at the Missouri Duals, Prenger won by fall against Class 1 106-pound champion Lucas Barry of St. Michael the Archangel.
“It doesn’t matter that it was Class 1, you know they are quality wrestlers if they are state champs,” Helias coach Weston Keleher said after the Crusaders finished 2-0 in duals on the opening night of the tournament at Rackers Fieldhouse.
“But neither one of them made it out of the first period against Carter.”
Prenger, who was third at 113 in Class 2 last season, gave up an early takedown Friday night to Barry in their match at 120. But Prenger then got a reversal and put Barry on his back for the victory.
Prenger finished 2-0 on the night, winning his second match by technical fall.
“Carter is looking really good this year,” Keleher said.
Prenger was one of seven Crusaders to go 2-0 on Friday night.
Jack Lage at 126 won both of his matches by first-period falls, while Carson Hayes at 138 and Michael Sanner at 220 also won twice by pin. Sanner won his final match in 5:33 against Joe Welch of Blair Oaks.
“That was a clutch win for Michael,” Keleher said. “He stuck with it, found his move and pinned the guy.”
Drake Perkins of the Crusaders won by fall and by decision at 170. Logan Montoya at 160 and Jack Klebba at 285 both won once by fall and once by forfeit.
Helias opened the tournament with a 66-15 win against St. Michael the Archangel before posting a 44-24 victory against Blair Oaks.
“They were both pretty solid,” Keleher said. “It was fun to go out and compete against them.
“The whole team is looking solid, I like what I’m seeing. Win or lose, we’re pushing the pace, we’re doing what we’ve been working on in the room.”
The Crusaders had a bye in Friday night’s third round. Helias will wrestle four duals today — against Lee’s Summit West, Capital City, Lebanon and Hillsboro — before going to the mat one final time in the trophy round.
“We’ll take it for Day One in a super tough tournament and we’ll roll into tomorrow,” Keleher said.
Action is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. today.