COLUMBIA - The Blair Oaks Falcons weren't satisfied from this weekend's results at the Class 2 state wrestling championships, but they're not going to be discouraged by them.
The Falcons finished with just one state medalist, as junior Levi Haney took fourth place at 160 pounds Saturday at Mizzou Arena.
"We're going in the right direction," Blair Oaks coach Mike DeMilia said. "This weekend, honestly, was a little disappointing. I was hoping to medal three at least, and only getting one was tough.
"I think the future is bright. We just have to keep plugging away and getting better as a program."
Haney (44-10) dropped into the wrestlebacks following an 11-3 loss to School of the Osage's Chase Cordia, who went on to win the state title. It was the third time Haney lost to Cordia this season, but the previous two losses were first-period pins.
"We grew up in the same club, I've know him forever," Haney said of Cordia. "I knew he was a better wrestler and I had to bring my 'A' game."
On Saturday, Haney responded with a pin in 1:47 against Pleasant Hill's Lane Brattin, beating him for the second time in the state tournament.
"It was a big relief winning that first match," Haney said.
Haney ended his season losing by fall in :24 to Monett's Ethan Umfleet in the third-place match.
"He beat the sixth-place guy twice, he beat the fifth-place guy," DeMilia said of Haney's state run. "And then he lost to the first- and third-place guy. He had the toughest road out of any of our guys."
This is Haney's first state medal, and he's the Falcons' first medalist at the Class 2 level. Haney lost in the bubble round last season in his first state appearance.
"It's like a step up the ladder," he said.
Blair Oaks had four wrestlers end their season Friday in the wrestlebacks.
Losing in the third-round wrestlebacks were Kyler Griep at 170 and Shane Gillmore at 285, both seniors.
Griep, a two-time state medalist, was winning 10-1 in his quarterfinal match before losing by fall in 2:56 to Maryville's Gaven Gray-Walker.
"He got caught in the quarterfinals there," DeMilia said. "It was just a freak move, got in a bad position and got pinned."
Griep lost 13-4 to Savannah's Gabe Hummer in the bubble round, ending the season with a 34-7 record.
"His hope was to win the state title, he really wanted to be wrestling tonight," DeMilia said. " It was a tough deal, but he had a great career. He has a lot to be proud of."
Gillmore also lost in the bubble round, a 5-2 decision against Seneca's Grant Durman. The match was tied at 2 after two periods, but Durman scored a one-point penalty for stalling and a takedown in the final 31 seconds.
"Shane wrestled great," DeMilia said. "He bumped up to heavyweight, and that was an adjustment for him. The improvement he made from last year to this year was amazing."
Losing in the second-round wrestlebacks Friday for the Falcons were senior Caleb Meeks (35-12) at 132, sophomore Camden Meeks (27-7) at 145 and junior Eli Batiste (30-10) at 152.
The Falcons' seventh state qualifier, junior DeVonte Sanders (19-23), went 0-2 at 195.
"With four returning qualifiers coming back, three of them won matches at state, so that's big," DeMilia said. "We've got some experience with those guys."
Blair Oaks finished 20th in the Class 2 team standings with 32.5 points. Monett won the state title with 194.5 points, followed by Odessa (142), Bolivar (88.5) and Pleasant Hill (87) to round out the top four.