DES MOINES — A year after getting his feet wet at the state wrestling tournament, St. Edmond sophomore Matthew Crimmins enters year two looking to secure a medal.

Crimmins, the lone qualifier for the Gaels, opens action in the Class 2A, 144-pound bracket here on Thursday inside Casey’s Center against either Austin Wagner of Panorama or Kendrin VanBeek from West Sioux.

Opening round matches begin at 9 a.m., with the session including second round and second round consolations.

A returning state qualifier, Crimmins earned the No. 4 seed in the bracket which features top-seed Dawson Youngblut of Don Bosco, a junior seeking his third state title. Youngblut has committed to the University of Iowa.

“It is very rewarding seeing Matthew earn a Top-4 seed,” SEHS head wrestling coach Kaden McClintock said. “It’s a big feat. Matthew has worked very hard this season to put himself in this spot, and now it’s time for him to leave it all on the mat.”

The No. 2 seed is Aidan Timm of Belle Plaine. Parker Glassmaker from MMCRU is the three. Timm and Glassmaker are both seniors.

Crimmins, who went 1-2 at state last year, won his first district crown in dominant fashion, scoring three falls in a total of just under three minutes on the mat.

“The work isn’t done,” McClintock said. “Matthew will be ready to go Thursday morning to start the tournament off on a strong note.”

Crimmins enters the state tournament with a record of 35-6 overall. He was a champion at the Jim Kinyon Norsemen Invitational, finishing second at the North Central Conference meet, the Doug Wood Invitational, the Bob Roethler Invitational and the Loyd Shaffer Invitational.