Fulton head coach Eric Hudson could detect something that set this gifted group apart before it even became an essential component of the Hornets' wrestling program.
Hudson was coaching football at Fulton Middle School years back when the collection of athletes caught his eye.
"There was something a little different about them as far as their athleticism, their competitiveness, kind of how they approached things," Hudson said. "They were talented individuals ... that kind of feed off each other, so that one person's success kind of helps the other guy want to be successful - a like-begets-like kind of thing."
That skilled set of six juniors comprise half of Fulton's 12 qualifiers and will power the Hornets' pursuit of a Class 2 state title when the 85th MSHSAA Wrestling Championships kick off this morning at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. First-round wrestling starts at 10 a.m., followed immediately by first-round wrestlebacks.
The juniors - Josh McClure, Zach Benner, Trenton Clines, Clayton Bristol, Andy Baysinger and Jason Pae - have combined to qualify for the state championships 16 times over a three-year period. McClure (138 pounds), Benner (195), Clines (145) and Bristol (285) all won titles at last weekend's District 2 championships in Mexico, while Baysinger (160) and Pae (126) both finished fourth.
"They're a pretty tight-knit group," Hudson said. "They've been together, at the minimum, since sixth grade, and even longer than that for a good number of them."
McClure and Benner own a perfect pair of matching 36-0 records and would appear to be the strong favorites to capture state titles in their respective weight classes this weekend. McClure made a perfect run to his first state championship at 113 pounds last year, while Benner was state runner-up at 182.
McClure was also second at 106 pounds in 2013 and Benner took fourth at 170. Meanwhile, Clines and Bristol medalled with sixth-place finishes at 138 and 285 pounds, respectively, last year.
In addition to the individual accomplishments, the junior wrestlers have played a vital role in Fulton's recent stretch of team success. They were freshmen when the Hornets finished second in Class 2 in 2013, then helped Fulton to a fourth-place team finish as sophomores last year.
"I expected us to show well with this group of kids; it happened a lot sooner than I thought it would," Hudson said during Tuesday's practice in the wrestling room. "I've been really pleased with them and how they've handled things, and how they approach practice and getting better."
Fulton's prospects for a Class 2 championship are further strengthened by its other six qualifiers - sophomores Devan Hudson (113 pounds), Brandon Dews (120) and Luke Berrey (152), freshman Tucker Caswell (106), and seniors Noah Braun (170) and Taylor Gillooly (182).
Devan Hudson and Dews also captured district titles at Mexico, while Braun finished second and Caswell, Gillooly and Berrey each came in third.
The Hornets - ranked No. 2 in Class 2 by both rankwrestlers.com and showmewrestling.com - completed the regular season with a flawless 22-0 dual record. They also locked up the North Central Missouri Conference title for the first time in Eric Hudson's nine years as head coach.
Adding Fulton's first state wrestling title since 1981 would be the proper punctuation to a remarkable season, in McClure's opinion.
"We take a lot of pride (in those triumphs)," McClure said. "We like being the showcase and we try to wrestle as hard as possible to get our goals achieved. So far, the only goal we haven't accomplished this year is a state title.
"I know all of us want a banner with all of our names on it in Roger D. Davis Gymnasium."
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It's been almost two years since McClure last lost a match - as a freshman in the state championship at 106 pounds. He will start his quest to repeat as an undefeated state champion when he faces Monett junior Garret Bradley (26-11) in the first round at 138 pounds this morning.
"I know I have a target on my back," McClure said. "The way I deal with it, I just put a target on everybody else's back. I know they're going to come after me, so I'm going to go after them equally as hard, if not harder."
Hudson noted that McClure is eager to challenge himself in his weight class at the state championships.
"Josh wants to wrestle the best kids, he wants those matches," Hudson said. "He's gone out of his way to get those matches. I don't really see any difference from last year, I think it's just a much more focused effort to find those people and wrestle those people when he can."
Benner, meanwhile, has a second-place bracket on his bedroom wall as a glaring reminder of the disappointment that accompanied last year's state championship loss. He's bound and determined not to add another one this weekend.
"It felt awful; (state runner-up) is an accomplishment, but I hung it up in my room just to see it every day to remind me that I don't want to get that place again," Benner said. "I thought back to all of the times that I could have practiced and worked on more things, that I didn't do it.
"I made sure this year that I was doing everything right."
Benner opens up against Richmond junior Alex Vance (26-18) in the first round at 195 pounds.
"Zach is a little more aggressive, a little more determined," Hudson said. "Zach's pretty good about once he's kind of got you down and then scored, he's unrelenting once that happens.
"He just continues to score and rack up points. Before long, you're so far behind that there's no catching up."
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Clines (31-2), who is battling a bad ankle, is returning to the state championships for the third straight year. He has already advanced to Friday morning's quarterfinals, receiving a rare first-round bye when his scheduled opponent - Odessa junior Taylor Airrington (33-14) - was moved to a different match in the 145-pound bracket after another qualifier was declared ineligible.
"Last year, Trenton would get to positions and be a little hesitant, and kind of hang in spots," Hudson said. "He's done a much better job this year of getting to the position that he wants and scoring from it, rather than getting to the position and not being able to finish.
"Trenton's kind of become the vocal leader for the group; he gives the pre-meet speeches and talks to the kids about that stuff. That's good because I'm not that guy - I'm not a big rah-rah kind of guy."
Bristol (26-1) - who has been bothered by a knee injury - is also a three-time state qualifier. He will battle Owensville junior Anthony Soest (22-28) in the first round at 285 pounds.
"Clayton, for his size, is a pretty exceptional athlete," Hudson said. "He does a really nice job of using his athleticism to win matches. We'll look for that to continue, hopefully."
Devan Hudson (25-3) is back at the state championships after medalling with a sixth-place finish at 106 pounds last year. His first-round opponent this morning at 113 pounds will be Miller Career Academy freshman Deon Partlow (23-7).
"Devan's had to fight off some injuries - a knee previously and then we had the hamstring injury where we had to shut it down for a week or so," Eric Hudson said. "For Devan, I think the key is going to be - to be more aggressive, to score points early and to stay in control of matches."
Dews (34-4) is returning to state after qualifying at 126 pounds in 2014. He will face O'Hara senior Devon Maschger in the first round at 120 pounds.
"Brandon is the type of kid that just goes and goes, and goes," Hudson said. "He basically wears his opponent out. He's really done a nice job here at the end of the year. He continues to learn and grow."
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Caswell (36-4) will be making his first trip to the state championships. He will go up against Cameron sophomore Chase Foreman (39-9) at 106 pounds in the first round.
"Tucker's had an outstanding season," Hudson said. "He does a nice job of being aggressive early and scoring those points. Kind of the same as Devan, after he's scored those points, let's stay in control and let's not give those points back."
Braun (21-8) and Gillooly (13-1) are both first-time state qualifiers who didn't start competitive wrestling until their freshman year. Braun will clash with Logan-Rogersville senior Luke Francaviglia (33-16) in this morning's first round at 170 pounds. Gillooly - who didn't return to the lineup until January after recuperating from knee surgery - meets Ste. Genevieve junior Albert Gonz (32-16) at 182 pounds.
"I'm really excited for both of those seniors," Hudson said. "They've just done a nice job of incorporating the things that we think are important in wrestling and then the workouts, and being dedicated to being a good athlete - being bigger, faster, stronger.
"For the most part, they do a really good job of not getting themselves into trouble. Most of what we teach in the (practice) room are things that are safe, simple and effective, so they tend to incorporate that stuff."
Berrey (28-9) is also a newcomer to state and will tangle in the first round at 152 pounds with Owensville junior Wyatt Harrell (29-5).
"Luke has done a great job," Hudson said. "He's going to need to wrestle well this weekend; he's in a pretty tough bracket. Again, Luke's kind of like Noah in that he's really very good on his feet.
"That needs to be our focus - early scoring, being on our feet, wrestling smart and keeping himself out of trouble."
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Baysinger (24-6) - who has also been dealing with a sore ankle - is making his second straight trip to the state championships after qualifying last year at 152 pounds. He will square off against Pleasant Hill sophomore Cole Lightfoot (37-8) in the first round at 160 pounds.
"We're happy to get Andy back in the tournament," Hudson said. "... Andy's had a really good season. His thing is just to not kind of get in his own way.
"Sometimes he gets in point-scoring flurries (with his opponent), and will give up control or give up points when he doesn't need to. That's really the thing that limits Andy."
Pae (13-4), who hadn't wrestled since mid-January due to an ailing shoulder, is a two-time qualifier who last appeared at state in 2013 at 120 pounds. His first-round opponent this morning at 126 pounds will be Ste. Genevieve senior Tanner Jones (43-5).
"It's just a matter of going out there and hanging in there, and doing the best you can do," Hudson said, referring to Pae's injury. "For the most part, we probably need to keep him off the mat or try to keep people off of that side.
"... Jason's going to have to sneak up on some people and try to put folks away early. I'm really proud of the way he gutted it out last weekend. It's a great accomplishment for him, based on what we've had going on with him all season long."