The Blair Oaks Falcons are hoping their placement in a tough district has them ready to compete against the rest of the state in today's Class 2 state wrestling championships.
But it wasn't just the postseason that laid the foundation for the eight Falcons who qualified for the one-day state tournament.
"We've wrestled a pretty tough schedule with regards to duals, and most of our tournament have been pretty tough," Blair Oaks coach Mike DeMilia said. "Getting through districts and sectionals with the teams that we had in there, it definitely prepares you for a moment like this."
Today's matches start with the first round at 9:30 a.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence. However, three Blair Oaks wrestlers finished first in their sectional bracket Feb. 27 at Rackers Fieldhouse and received a first-round bye to advance to the quarterfinals.
"If it was a multiday tournament, it wouldn't be as big of a deal," DeMilia said of the first-round bye. "But with one day, it's huge. These kids are used to wrestling a lot. The problem with state is, if you have to wrestle four or five matches, it's going to be against all quality kids.
"If you can get one less round or you can get a quick pin, that's really going to be a big deal."
Senior Levi Haney is the only returning state medalist for the Falcons, placing fourth at 160 pounds last season. Haney (32-5) is wrestling at 170 this year.
"None of his matches will be easy," DeMilia said. "He hasn't matched up well with (School of the Osage's Chase) Cordia or (Mexico's Jokiah) Sewell, so to avoid them until a possible finals matchup is a good deal. But he still has challenges to get through."
Receiving first-round byes are seniors Eli Batiste and DeVonte Sanders and junior Camden Meeks.
Batiste (38-5) joins Haney as a three-time state qualifier. He is looking to earn his first state medal in today's 160 bracket.
"Being a three-time qualifier is going to be a big factor for Eli," DeMilia said. "Last year was disappointing because he was hurt. This year, he's healthy, he's ready to go."
Sanders (29-14) is looking for his first state tournament win at 285 in his second and final trip to the championships. DeMilia said he'll be one of the lighter wrestlers in his weight class.
"His shape and his movement will be big in those matches," DeMilia added. "He won't be the strongest at 285, but getting that first-round bye is big, because heavyweights have a hard time going for a lot of matches. He'll be fresh."
Meeks (41-5) made the jump from 145 last season at state to 182 this season. A win in the quarterfinals would give him his first state medal.
"He's in a nice spot," DeMilia said. "We feel good about whoever he'll wrestle, we feel like he'll have a good shot. He's won a ton of matches in a row and he's wrestling confidently. We like where he is."
Senior Nick Welch and junior Aidan Bolinger will be making their first state tournament appearances.
Welch (34-14) has been described as a "wild card" by DeMilia as he prepares for his bracket at 145.
"Nick's the one who is unpredictable," DeMilia said. "He's worked so hard, he's a solid wrestler and he has a bit of a funky style, which sets him apart. He's a really tough matchup for some guys."
DeMilia said Bolinger (27-18) has favorable matchups in his quadrant of the bracket at 113.
"Both of the guys he would have to beat to get to the semifinals are quality guys, but I like his chances in both of those matches," DeMilia said.
Blair Oaks also qualified two freshmen - Easton DeMilia and Brady Kerperin - for the state tournament. They are the Falcons' first freshmen state qualifiers since their state championship season of 2014, when London Gaydos made it to state at 120.
Easton DeMilia (34-12) will be one of 10 underclassmen wrestling in the 12-person bracket at 106.
"I'm excited to see how he does," Mike DeMilia said of his son. "I think he can make a run at a placement. But 106 is fairly deep, so he's not really going to have any gimmes."
Kerperin (26-6) had to win back-to-back matches in the wrestlebacks at sectionals just to qualify for state at 152.
"He had a tough district and sectional," DeMilia said. "Brady has really come of his own. He got off to a slow start coming in from football, but he's really hit his stride. Winning districts gave him the confidence he needed."
Blair Oaks finished 20th in the Class 2 team standings last season.
"We're definitely not a favorite to be in a trophy position, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility," DeMilia said. "I think we have the potential for three or four guys to be finalists."
More importantly, DeMilia wants to see a Falcon reach the finals this season, something that hasn't happened in his four years as head coach. Frankie Falotico was the last Blair Oaks wrestler to reach the title match in 2016, while Logan Mudd and Cole Kemna were the last state champions the Falcons have had, each winning a title in 2014.
"It's been too long of a drought," DeMilia said. "We've been close, but I feel good that one of these guys are going to come through.
"I feel like we're prepared, and if somebody could get on top of the podium, that would be huge for our program."