Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Matthew Crimmins of St. Edmond greets Gael fans after placing third at the state wrestling tournament on Saturday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Matthew Crimmins joined two of the very best to wear a St. Edmond singlet on Saturday at the state wrestling tournament.

Crimmins became the highest finisher for the Gael program since the late Vinnie Harvey placed second in 2014 when the sophomore pinned Aidan Timm of Belle Plaine for third at 144 pounds in Class 1A from the Casey’s Center.

Crimmins (40-7) also became the first Gael to win his final state tournament match since that same year, when his current head coach — Kaden McClintock — finished seventh. The last St. Edmond grappler to compete for bronze was Harvey, who took fourth in 2013.

“You can’t ask for a better ending to the year than a pin,” Crimmins said. “It feels incredible to come back after (the loss in the quarterfinals). The support from everyone has been incredible. It’s just been a great experience overall.”

Crimmins, now a two-time qualifier, went 5-1 over the three-day tourney, scoring three pins with a technical fall. He defeated Timm, the No. 2 seed, in 1:50 in his final match.

In the third-place match, Crimmins scored a takedown that he immediately used to record a four-point near-fall. After a reversal by Timm, Crimmins landed his second takedown following an escape. he then registered the pin.

“It has been very amazing watching Matthew grow into the wrestler he is,” McClintock said. “He worked very hard this offseason and during the year to make sure he didn’t feel the pain of not getting on the podium. We are all so proud of Matthew for keeping his composure and not only winning matches at the state tournament, but dominating them all the way through the third-place match.

“This is a big step forward for our program. It was incredible seeing all of the green and white in the crowd cheering Matthew on.”

For the week, Crimmins racked up 55 match points and accounted for all 23.5 team points accumulated by St. Edmond as its lone qualifier. His three falls came in a total of just over seven minutes.

Crimmins, who is now 66-19 in his two seasons of varsity wrestling, will now look to continue leading the Gael program into the future with a state medal attached to his resume.

“I couldn’t be more excited (for the future) with the talent coming up from the younger grades,” he said. “With some work this offseason, I won’t be the only one down here next year.”