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.
If Easton DeMilia was going to win his 100th career match on his home mat, it had to happen Tuesday night. And it wasn’t going to come in his usual weight class, either. DeMilia rallied from a three-point deficit in the second period and scored the deciding takedown with :10 remaining in overtime to win 8-6 against Camdenton’s Logan Tibben in his final match of a quad-dual at Blair Oaks High School.
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.
The Blair Oaks Falcons go to the Missouri Duals to wrestle bigger schools and top-quality programs.
It’s also an opportunity to gauge the team’s progress early in the season, but facing tough competition is the key goal.