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Duckett delivers on Senior Night for Gaels

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Ryan Duckett of St. Edmond wrestles in the Gael gym.

Sporting a heavy knee brace and filled mixed emotions, Ryan Duckett made his way from the scorer’s table to the wrestling mat here Thursday night.

Duckett, a St. Edmond senior, competed for the final time in a Gael singlet, scoring a memorable 37-second fall inside his home gym.

Injuries have limited the SEHS standout grappler to only a handful of matches this season. But with one final chance to compete at stake, Duckett did everything he could to make it happen.

“I have a lot going through me right now,” he said. “Everything from feeling heartbroken to feelings of accomplishment. I have wrestled in the St. Edmond building for 12 years and knowing I will never do it again is heartbreaking.

“But going out with a pin is the best way I could have done it.”

Duckett was the lone wrestler out during his two middle school years and has taken on a leadership role since joining the high school room. Along with a state tournament appearance, he has now won 80 matches, including a 12-3 record this year.

After recording a quick takedown against Carson Hisler of Hampton-Dumont/CAL at 120 pounds, Duckett scored a second takedown and followed up by securing the fall.

“It definitely was a special night,” Duckett said. “We had a great crowd and everyone wrestled well. It’s hard knowing I’ll never compete at home again and I will never forget all the blood, sweat and tears I have endured in that gym as well as all the triumphs and happiness.

“That last match was for Coach Vinnie Harvey.”

St. Edmond dropped both duals on the night, falling to Clear Lake, 42-13, and Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 74-6.

Eugene Carlson, who has coached Duckett throughout his career, also felt the emotions of the night.

“I told Ryan before that if anything didn’t look good, I was pulling him out,” Carlson said. “But credit to him because he showed what he could do despite the injury. He gave it everything and went out on top.”

Emiliano Guillen, Grant Webster and Tyler Rossmanith all earned wins in the dual against the Lions. Webster claimed a fall in 1:25, bringing Sam Sestina to the mat before putting his shoulders down.

Rossmanith earned a major decision over Hayden Rieck, 10-2, and Guillen topped Hunter Rieck, 9-8. Rossmanith had a takedown, reversal and pair of 3-point near-falls in his win.

Zach Rossmanith made his return to the mats after suffering an injury, falling via pin, and Ronnie Orres dropped a match.

“It was a really good night all around,” Carlson said. “Emiliano picked up his first varsity win, Zach returned and got a win on JV and just everybody fed off the emotion of the night and the energy of the crowd.

“Now, we just have to keep building.”

In the dual with Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Tyler Rossmanith was involved in a wild affair, falling 21-18. He recorded five takedowns in the match and scored seven points in the third.

Guillen, Webster and Orres all were defeated.

St. Edmond returns to action this Saturday when they travel to Webster City for the North Central Conference Tournament. Wrestling begins at 10 a.m.

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