A few weeks into the offseason, Warrenton Head Coach Kevin Fowler said it was easier to see the positives from his program this season.

The Warriors finished 14-6 in dual meets and qualified five wrestlers for the state tournament.

They had the highest turnout among the three levels in over five years, and expect a higher turnout next season.

Fowler was disappointed in his team’s performance at the state tournament — as the five wrestlers combined for four wins — but didn’t put all the blame on the athletes.

“It’s always disappointing when you think you left some wins out there, and I definitely think some of our guys didn’t wrestle up to their standard,” he said. “But we have to look at ourselves, as well. Kids take responsibility and coaches do, too, and their performances come back to me and the coaches.”

Warrenton won its first conference title in school history, knocking off perennial Gateway Athletic Conference North champion St. Charles West Jan. 27.

“Beating West to clinch our first-ever conference title was great for us because we consider them our rival,” Fowler said. “It was nice for the kids to see some results against a program like that.”

The Warriors were led all season by senior Dan Filipek, who was undefeated and ranked 20th in the nation in the 160-pound weight class before rupturing his spleen on senior night, cutting his season short.

Filipek had recently beaten state qualifier Johnny Blankenship, who was expected to be his only real competition for the 160-pound state title.

The Warriors were still able to qualify five wrestlers for state, but struggled early in the respective tournaments and failed to medal.

Seniors James Biship (145 pounds) and Jacob Manion (195 pounds) ended their careers with tough losses in Columbia.

“That core group of Biship, Manion and Filipek was great for us,” Fowler said. “We got 12 varsity seasons out of those guys, they were close to having 100 wins each for their careers and they led us to our first conference title. That’s just a ton of good things for your program.”

Fowler liked what he saw from some of his younger wrestlers, as well.

Freshman Jerrett Villinger qualified for state in the 152-pound weight class and finished with a 1-2 record in the tournament.

“That was big for him,” Fowler said. “He really improved this year and he’s going to help us a lot down the road.”

Fowler said because of guys like Villinger having success, the coaches can spend more time developing wrestlers in the younger weights next season, which is where the Warriors struggled most of the year.

“We expect to have about 35 guys next year,” he said. “Not all of them are experienced, but we have a lot of guys to look to. We have a very good core of freshman and sophomores.”

State qualifiers Jacob Null (220 pounds) and Drake Meine (170), along with Brendon Cotner (285), are expected to lead the Warriors next season as seniors.

Fowler said he has high expectations for the trio, but said their success will be determined like everyone else in the program.

“I think they’ll all have a successful senior campaign, but a lot of that has to do with what they’re doing between now and when the season starts,” he said. “But those three will have to lead the way. I’m excited for them to have their turn because they have some potential.”