Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Matthew Crimmins of St. Edmond takes on Algona’s CJ McGregor in the finals of the NCC wrestling meet on Saturday in Humboldt. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

HUMBOLDT — Matthew Crimmins continues to make the climb at the North Central Conference Tournament, placing second here Saturday to lead the St. Edmond wrestling team.

Last year, Crimmins was third as a freshman at this meet. He reached the 144-pound final this season, coming up short to CJ McGregor of Algona.

McGregor, who helped Bishop Garrigan to the eight-player state football title this past fall, scored a 9-6 win in sudden-victory over Crimmins.

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, the NCC duals champions, knocked Algona off for top team honors after the Bulldogs captured gold last year. The Cowboys finished with 255 points, as Algona had 209.5. Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Humboldt and Clear Lake rounded out the Top-5.

Crimmins opened his tournament run with a major decision over Sam Robinson from Iowa Falls-Alden, following a fall in 4:25 in the semifinals over Luke Showalter of Hampton-Dumont/CAL.

“Matthew had a nice day,” SEHS head coach Kaden McClintock said. “I know he wanted to finish with the win in the finals there, but he wrestled hard the entire match and put himself in the position to win; it just didn’t go his way.

“Matthew will continue to build and get better for districts coming up soon.”

Owen Rutherford, Cooper Cokeley and Grant Anderson were all in action for the Gaels, going 0-2 on the day.

Cole Wibholm, Paxton Redenius, Adrian Phetxoumphone, Linden Phetxoumphone, Colin Sesker and JT Kelso were all individual champs for Clarion-Goldfield/Dows. Ryan Hartwig, Dawson Beyer, Ryland Morgan and Easton Beyer each finished second for the Cowboys.

Adrian Phetxoumphone, Sesker and Kelso all defended titles. Phetxomphone knocked off fellow returning NCC gold medalist Kolbe Hansen of Iowa Falls-Alden in the finals with a 19-3 technical fall.

Humboldt’s Broedy Hendricks made it 3-for-3, winning in dominant fashion at 190. The junior scored two technical falls in the first period before pinning Raiff Baack of Clear Lake in the finals in 1:46 for his third NCC title.

Along with McGregor, Algona got titles from Taevyn Zinnel and Tayten Rummel. Zinnel claimed his crown at 165 and Rummel at 215.

Teagan Alesch, Brooks Morgan, Carter McGregor and Will Limbaugh were all silver medalists for the Bulldogs. Thomas Zabka, Barrett Morgan and Brody Shipler each finished third.

Webster City’s Cody Elliott was second to lead the Lynx, while teammates Angel Ramirez, Jaysen Vankham and Eli Estlund were each third.

Clear Lake’s Christian Dunning scored his third NCC crown.