-Messenger photo by Britt KudlaRyan Duckett of St. Edmond wrestles against AGWSR Ali Gerbracht during Gaels Duals on Saturday

LAKE MILLS — St. Edmond freshman Ryan Duckett kept his state tournament hopes alive with a second place finish at a Class 1A sectional meet.

Duckett (27-11) earned a bye in the quarterfinals and pinned Eagle Grove’s Jacob Graham in 5:37 of the semifinals.

The Gaels’ 106-pounder lost to Lake Mills’ Jack Ramaker by fall in the championship round and advanced by the true second rule.

“Ryan was in that match in the third until he got caught,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “He just got caught in a bad position. We’ll watch film and learn from what we did wrong.

“But like I told Ryan all week, he can wrestle with anybody.”

Sophomore Noah Carlson (16-19) placed fourth on the day. He won his opening match with an 8-1 decision over Eagle Grove’s Josh Graham.

Carlson lost in the semifinals by fall to fourth-ranked Jacob McBride of Mason City Newman. He was knocked out of the tournament with a loss to Alex Martinson of Lake Mills.

Senior Jake Szalat (12-17) placed sixth. He suffered a loss to Eagle Grove’s Dylan Kruckenberg in the quarterfinals and Mason City Newman’s Caden Kratz in the fifth place match.

“Noah didn’t win a match at sectionals last year, so getting a win was a step forward,” Szalat said. “And Jake, from a father’s perspective, I was able to see a new side and it was a pleasure to watch.”