The Jefferson City Jays weren't happy with the final score.
But the effort was a different story.
"We battled, we battled," Jays coach Phil Cagle said after Tuesday night's 41-27 loss to the Lebanon Yellowjackets at Fleming Fieldhouse. "There were a lot of things that could have happened that would have made the score a little closer.
"But I cannot complain about the effort and the way we wrestled. We were aggressive and tried to do some things."
The Jays dropped the first six matches in the dual.
Jefferson City was open at 106 pounds before Anakin Gray dropped an 18-7 decision at 113. Gray trailed 11-1 after the first period, but fought the final two periods to go the distance.
"He continued to fight and that was great to see," Cagle said.
DuJuan Wallace at 120 and Christian Strope at 126 both lost by fall, before Hunter Walling dropped a 7-5 decision at 132.
"When those four get down to the weight class they should be at, they'll be better," Cagle said.
Joe Joe Kuster, a freshman, then faced Lebanon senior and returning state qualifier Cole Roark. The match was tied at 1 after regulation before Roark got an escape in the final overtime period to get a 2-1 victory.
"Joe Joe did a great job," Cagle said.
The Jays won the next three matches. Clayton Hurley started the run at 145, winning by fall in the second period.
"I told him if he survived the first period and got on top in the second, he could pin him," Cagle said.
Sam Rackers followed with a second-period fall at 152 before Will Kuster captured a 3-2 decision against Trevor Christian, who took third in the state last season.
"That was a very good win for Will," Cagle said.
The Jays then dropped the next three matches - Michael Freidrich at 170 (9-0), Dawson Prenger at 182 (LBF) and Jakeil Hays at 195 (6-3).
"We don't like to lose, but we competed and we're going to get better and that starts tomorrow," Cagle said.
Cagle was pleased with the effort from Hays, just a second-year wrestler.
"Jakil wrestled hard and he had some opportunities," Cagle said. "But with his lack of experience, you could see the difference. Jakil is going to get better."
Brant Aulbur then won by fall in 2:23 at 220, with an unconventional move.
"He's just really funky and just falls into things," Cagle said. "Some of the stuff he does just isn't coachable. There are things we're going to have to do with him because he's not going to be able to do that against some really strong guys down the road.
"But he got a win."
Brandon Backues closed the dual with a first-period fall at 285.
"I told him I can't brag on him yet, he's just doing what he's supposed to do right now," Cagle said.
Jefferson City (1-1) is back in action next Tuesday night in a double dual against Blair Oaks and Buffalo at the Blair Oaks Middle School.
In Tuesday night's JV dual, the Jays dropped a 45-27 decision to the Yellowjackets.