The Blair Oaks Falcons had a pair of individual champions in taking second in the team standings in the Class 2 District 3 Tournament that concluded Saturday. Nolan Laughlin at 138 pounds and Cole Peters at 285 claimed titles for the Falcons.
It was a quick first day for the Blair Oaks Falcons at the Missouri Duals. The Falcons went 0-3 at Helias Gym, with less than half a lineup competing in each dual. “Unfortunately, it turns into an individual tournament, which is not where we want to be,” Blair Oaks coach Mike DeMilia said of wrestling shorthanded. “Lots of injuries, so many guys who haven’t made their weight for numerous reasons.
Outside the Blair Oaks wrestling room, there is a white sheet of paper hanging on the door with two words printed on it: “One more.” It serves as a reminder for the Falcons each time they enter the room. Just nine months earlier, Blair Oaks only needed to win “one more” match at the Class 2 boys wrestling state championships to bring home the program’s first state trophy in nine seasons. With six state qualifiers returning this season, and four state medalists among that group, the Falcons are hoping for “one more” chance at a state trophy.
The Blair Oaks boys wrestling team is getting closer to full strength, and it showed Tuesday night. Blair Oaks won a pair of duals at Blair Oaks High School, defeating Capital City 57-20 and Jefferson City 41-24.
It was a good night on the mats for the Blair Oaks Falcons. After dropping four duals during the weekend in the Missouri Duals, the Falcons responded with three dual wins Tuesday night against Palmyra, Knob Noster and Fatima. The Blair Oaks Lady Falcons also went 3-0 in dual competition.