-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Matthew Crimmins of St. Edmond wrestles against Gavin Wiig in the finals during Manson NW Webster Invite

Kaden McClintock and the St. Edmond wrestling team will be busy over the next three days.

Starting with a North Central Conference triangular at Algona Thursday, the Gaels will host the annual Vinnie Harvey Wrestling Tournament Friday before welcoming in several teams for the St. Edmond Duals on Saturday.

While that might sound like a lot to take in, McClintock is excited for all the opportunities ahead for his squad and program.

“We wouldn’t want it any other way,” said McClintock, a former Gael standout wrestler himself. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to go out and show off in front of our home crowd.

“It is a busy time as the kids will stay after practice on Friday to help with the tournament, but they know it means a lot to the program.”

The Gaels (0-4 overall, 0-4 in league) head to Algona Thursday for action with the Bulldogs and Lynx beginning at 6 p.m.

St. Edmond stepped on the mats already this year, battling Humboldt and Hampton-Dumont/CAL this past Monday. Nick Utley earned a pair of wins, scoring both by fall in under a minute each.

Matthew Crimmins, a returning state qualifier, and Jace Stanley each picked up one victory in the triangular.

“We were able to shake off some of that rust (last Monday),” McClintock said. “I love competing in this conference because we see tough competition each time out and that is what will get us prepared for February.”

Algona (3-0, 1-0) owns a win over Humboldt and also topped Charles City and Garner-Hayfield/Ventura. They were fourth at the Don Miller Invitational late in December.

Webster City (1-4, 0-2) dropped NCC duals with Clarion-Goldfield/Dows and Hampton-Dumont/CAL earlier this week.

Friday’s youth tournament starts at 4 p.m. with weigh-ins while wrestling is set to start at 8 p.m. There will be four different divisions of wrestling, and walk-ins will be welcome to compete.

“Vinnie was like a brother to me,” McClintock said. “Our families are close and it is awesome we get to honor him by handing out hats and belts. He was a hard worker and that is what this tournament remembers him for.

“We just try to continue to carry on his tradition.”

The St. Edmond Duals begin Saturday at 9 a.m. and include the Fort Dodge JV, Southeast Valley, AGWSR and Sioux City West.

“Our kids are really looking forward to Saturday,” McClintock said. “There are a couple teams with lineups similar to us, so we might have a chance at winning a dual or two.”