Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Karson Wuebker of South Central Calhoun works his way to a win on Friday at state in Des Moines. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Justin and Ryan Wirtz will end the season on the podium at the state wrestling tournament, as the Emmetsburg standouts secured spots in Class 1A.

Joining them on the awards stand from the area will be South Central Calhoun’s Karson Wuebker.

Manson Northwest Webster’s Hendrik Puuraid’s first state tournament came to an end in the consolation round at 215 pounds after the junior suffered a loss to Logan Lashbrook of Janesville.

Puuraid, a foreign exchange student from Estonia, finished the season 32-5 overall including two falls at state. He was a Judo champion in his native country and helped the Cougar football team this past fall reach the state playoffs.

After reaching the semifinals at 175 pounds with a fall and a major decision, Justin Wirtz fell to West Hancock’s Creighton Kelly, 17-6. The senior squares off with Gavin Muller of Osage in the consolation semifinals on Saturday.

A win for Wirtz would send him to the third place match while a loss drops him into the fifth place contest. The E-Hawk is currently 39-2 on the year and placed fourth last season at state.

Ryan Wirtz rebounded from a loss in the quarterfinals at 190 pounds with back-to-back falls on the consolation side. He secured his medal with a pin of Brett Plants from Montezuma in 1:47.

Wirtz will have the same opportunity as his Emmetsburg teammate, as he meets Jayden Dickerson from Shenandoah in the consolation semifinals for a chance at a bronze medal. Wirtz is 34-5 overall while Dickerson owns a record of 56-1, with his lone loss coming to top-seed Louden Huisenga of WACO in the semis, 4-3.

Wuebker knocked off West Bend-Mallard’s Mason Knapp to earn his spot in the consolations on Saturday with a fall in 4:54. Knapp saw his tournament run end with a record of 38-7 including two wins at state.

Up next for Wuebker, a freshman with a 52-4 record, will be No. 3 seed Ethan Humphrey of West Branch. Humphrey is a sophomore who has gone 21-3 on the year.

If Wuebker wins, he will wrestle for third while a loss sends him to the fifth place match.

North Union’s Brennan Bollinger, a senior, saw his tourney run come to a close following a loss to Grant Gray of Northeast. Bollinger ended the year with a record of 48-6.