Messenger photo by Britt Kudla/Photo by Tyler Anderson, The Graphic-Advocate: Ryan Duckett of St. Edmond celebrates his win at the state tournament on Thursday in Des Moines.

DES MOINES — Everyone around Ryan Duckett knows he belongs in the state tournament.

The only one left to prove anything to is his himself.

After a tough loss in the first round and with his back against the wall, the St. Edmond senior went back to work.

“I knew coming into state that it’s all about me,” Duckett said. “I proved to myself that I belong here and I can wrestle with whoever else is on that mat with me.”

In his consolation semifinal at 120 pounds, Duckett faced Alburnett’s Blaine McGraw (33-14). From the whistle, Duckett (17-6) went right at McGraw, earning a 9-3 lead with three takedowns and two near falls.

The last takedown resulted in a fall at 5:56.

“I came out a bit more aggressive the second match and just wrestled like it was my last match, which thankfully it won’t be,” Duckett said. “It’s an amazing feeling to make it to day two.

“It felt great to get that fall because only the top 16 wrestlers in the state get into this tournament, so everyone is good and ready to wrestle.”

Duckett has had his back against the wall all season, but it seems that’s when he’s at his best.

“I think it just wakes him up (when he is in his possible final match),” said SEHS head coach Eugene Carlson. “His second match he started strong and did a blast double. He wrestles well when his back is against the wall, and just finds a way to win.”

In his first match on Thursday morning, Duckett suffered a 16-0 technical fall loss to third-ranked Garrett Funk of Don Bosco in four minutes. Funk was a fifth place finisher a year ago.

“Funk is a good wrestler and even though I lost, I have no regrets about that match,” Duckett said. “I wrestled the best I could and I just got beat.

“As soon as that match was over I just forgot about it and shifted my focus to my next match.”

In his second state tournament appearance, Duckett picked up his first win and is one victory away from earning a medal. He will face the loser of Oakland’s third-ranked Jace Rose and North Linn’s sixth-ranked Cade Cook.

Duckett, who is 84-40 in his career, is looking to become the first St. Edmond medalist since the 2015-16 season. Cole Allison finished eighth and Payton Sitzmann was seventh that season.

“I’m going to do everything I can get on the podium,” Duckett said. “Honestly, I’m just having fun. I’m enjoying every part of wrestling on the biggest stage in Iowa.

“I’m blessed to be here.”

Class 1A second round action begins at 9 a.m. inside Wells Fargo Arena.