Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Matthew Wirtz of Emmetsburg reacts to a victory at state last season in Des Moines.

DES MOINES — Matthew Wirtz had a memorable run on the backside of the 195 pound bracket, but Wirtz wants to make his final stand on the front in 2022.

Emmetsburg’s third-ranked senior (195) and No. 2 seed has bigger things on his mind for this trip to Wells Fargo Arena.

“Winning a state championship would not only be incredible for me, but for my community as a whole,” Wirtz said. “I remember looking up to highschoolers when I was a little kid. That’s what I want all the little E-Hawks to look at me like.”

Wirtz, who has run through all 37 of his opponents this season, is making his third state appearance.

Last season, Wirtz lost his opening round match in a tight 11-9 decision, but reeled off two two-point and one one-point victory before losing in the consolation semifinals. He ended his first medal run with a fifth place showing and a 32-5 record with a 7-6 victory.

“It doesn’t feel possible that it’s my last year wrestling at Wells Fargo Arena,” Wirtz said. “I have put all the work in for this to be the best year yet.”

In his final campaign this winter, Wirtz has elite goals ahead. The potential head-to-head showdown with top-ranked and defending state champion Carson Tenold of Don Bosco is at the top of the list.

Tenold was a state runner up as both a freshman and sophomore.

In his first match on Thursday, Wirtz will face Aidan Kathman (34-15) of Ogden.

Wirtz will be joined by sophomore Lincoln Wilcoxon (113), junior Ryan Brennan (145), sophomore Jace Nelson-Brown (38-5), Cade Shark (170) and Gage Jorgenson (285) of Emmetsburg at state.

Wilcoxon (13-7) will meet third-rated sophomore Kolton Munson (44-1) of Ogden in the opener.

Brennan (35-2), ranked fifth at 145, squares off with seventh-rated senior Matt Peters (40-4) of Lawton-Bronson.

Nelson Brown (38-5), ranked eighth, has drawn No. 11 senior Nolan Moore (36-9) of Riverside.

Shark (30-0) will compete against sixth-ranked Aidan Udell (33-3) of Iowa City Regina.

Jorgenson (34-8) is matched up with fifth-ranked Cody Fox (35-1) of East Buchanan in the first round.

Manson NW Webster

Fourth-ranked senior Brodie Anderson (37-3) will face 10th-rated Ian Blowe (41-5) of Akron-Westfield at 195.

No. 11 junior teammate Ethan Egli (126) will have fourth-ranked Jace Rose (43-4) of Riverside in the opener.

South Central Calhoun

Three Titans will look to bring back state medals for South Central Calhoun this week.

Second-ranked senior Blake McAlister (170) was a state runner up a year ago. McAlister (47-1) lost to top-ranked Cade Tenold of Don Bosco in the finals. Tenold is the top seed in the bracket.

McAlister will have Baxter’s Callyn Bishop (29-14) in the first round.

Second-ranked Jayden Soard (47-1) is the second seed at 220 and will face Independence’s Evan Foreman (32-10) in the opener.

Sophomore Zachary Trott (40-8) meets Kallen Smith (49-14) of West Hancock in the 138-pound opener.

Eagle Grove

The Eagles will have a trio of newcomers looking to bring back medals.

Senior Isaac Olson (220), junior Dustin Dawson (132) and sophomore Mack Morgan (106) are all first-time competitors.

Olson tangles with No. 1 Matthew Francis (52-0) of West Hancock at 220.

Dawson (33-13) will tangle with Cascade’s Trever Freiburger (45-7), and Morgan has drawn third-ranked Cascade’s Brock Morris (47-4).

North Union

Freshman Landon Price (36-3) will make his first state appearance against top-ranked Corbin Reisz (40-3) of Logan-Magnolia at 113 for the Warriors.

East Sac County

Sophomore Charlie Veit (33-6) will face Riley Radke (34-12) of Missouri Valley in his opening round match at 132 pounds.