Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: South Central Calhoun's Karson Wuebker scrambles during his championship match at the state wrestling tournament on Saturday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Karson Wuebker showed his true growth this season on the biggest stage possible here Saturday night.

Wuebker, a sophomore at South Central Calhoun, dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Ty Martin of Don Bosco in the Class 1A 106-pound championship match inside the Casey’s Center.

Earlier this month, Wuebker fell to Martin via major decision. But with the state title hanging in the balance, he pushed the top seed to the end, as a lone second period escape accounted for the only points scored by either wrestler.

Wuebker, who finished the season 59-3 overall, appeared to potentially tie the match with an escape late, but officials decided there was no conclusive evidence and the match was over.

All three of Wuebker’s losses came to Martin, who helped Don Bosco capture an eighth consecutive traditional team state title. The Dons also won the state duals crown earlier this year.

The two met in the finals of the Herb Irgens Invitational in January, as Martin claimed a 6-5 decision. Martin’s major decision came at the regional dual tournament final a few weeks back.

Wuebker had a dominant week for the Titans, scoring two technical falls and a pin in his three matches. His fall came in 59 seconds with the two technical falls both being recorded in the opening round.

As a freshman, Wuebker ended his season on the podium, placing fifth with a record 53-5 on the mats. He was looking to become the fifth wrestler from the schools that make up South Central Calhoun — Rockwell City, Lytton and Southern Cal — to win a state title, and the first Titan to do so.

Wuebker’s teammate, Jace Pedersen, finished eighth at heavyweight after falling to Will Howes of MFL MarMac. Pedersen went 52-9 this past season.

West Bend-Mallard

Hunter Lester finished off his first state tournament run with a bronze medal, defeating Kaleb Gordon of Jesup at 106 pounds.

After earning a fall in 2:43 in the consolation semifinals vs. Hudson Cox of Southeast Warren/Melcher-Dallas, Lester pinned Gordon in 3:35 for his medal. He went 4-1 at state with three pins, ending the year 36-2 overall.

Both losses by Lester came at the hands of Ty Martin from Don Bosco.

Lester’s teammate, Mason Knapp, placed eighth at 120 pounds after falling to Jesse Burton of Westwood. Knapp ended the year 34-11 overall.

Emmetsburg

Nick Saxton and Ryan Wirtz both left the Casey’s Center with medals for the E-Hawks, as Saxton finished fourth and Wirtz placed fifth.

Saxton earned a fall in 72 seconds over Owen Menke of Sigourney-Keota in the consolation semifinals at 285 pounds before falling to Logan Lashbrook from Janesville in the third place match via decision. He ended the year with a record of 39-8.

Wirtz bounced back in his final match with a fall in 3:37 over Dawson Boileau of Iowa City Regina at 190 pounds, finishing the season 30-4 overall. He came up short in the consolation semis vs. Blake Myrtue of Ridge View via decision, 10-7.

Pocahontas Area

Jakob Lawson won his final match at state, pinning Hunter Hussing of Missouri Valley to place seventh at 106 pounds.

Lawson posted a record of 40-9 this season.