DES MOINES — Down big early, Sam Myer found another gear and kept his hopes of a state wrestling medal alive here Thursday.

Myer, a St. Edmond junior, pinned Zach Harbison from Wapello in the second round of consolations inside Wells Fargo Arena. He also earned a medical forfeit in the next round.

Up next for Myer will be Steve Brandenburg of Lake Mills at 138 pounds on Friday. With a win, he secures himself a Top-8 finish and spot on the podium Saturday night.

Down 5-0 to Harbison, Myer reeled off eight consecutive points before securing the win and his second win in two years at state. He is now 29-14 on the season.

“It was a tough match, but I ended up breaking him with a cradle,” Myer said. “That was a good win.

“I’m shooting for a third in a row now and it should be a tough road, but I’m ready.”

Emmetsburg

Jace Nelson-Brown punched his second trip to the semifinals, picking up a 12-2 major decision over Zach Robbins from Treynor in the quarters.

After placing second a year ago, Nelson-Brown (37-4) will meet Titus Evans of Nashua-Plainfield (29-0) for a spot in the finals again.

Justin Wirtz and Gage Jorgenson both suffered quarterfinal round losses for the E-Hawks, while Ryan Wirtz and Nick Saxton were eliminated on the consolation side.

Wirtz (39-3) fell to Ryan Stiles of Earlham at 165, 7-4, and Jorgenson (26-5) suffered a 7-1 defeat to Logan Wright from West Branch at 285.

East Sac County

Charlie Veit had his dream of a state championship come to an end in the quarterfinals, as the Raider standout fell to Boden White of Denver, 10-4.

Veit, a multi-time placewinner, is now 43-4 on the year and will need a win Friday to stay in medal contention.

Bradyn Burns dropped a consolation third round contest, seeing his season come to an end at 47-14.

South Central Calhoun

Brock Nattress is one more win away from securing a state medal, as the Titan wrestler won his 50th match of the season in the consolation third round.

Nattress bested Conner Jacobson at 150 pounds, 7-5, adding to his other consolation round win vs. Isaac Messamaker from Moravia, 10-6.

Naylan Gulbranson was unable to stay alive, falling to Tate Bieret of Carroll Kuemper at 165. He ends the year 27-19 overall.

West Bend-Mallard

Consolation second round losses for Mason Knapp and Logan Grimm resulted in the end of their state tournaments.

Knapp (37-8) fell to Brayden Maeder of Southwest Valley at 113 pounds, while Grimm (33-7) suffered a loss to Hunter Sauer from Alburnett at 165.

Pocahontas Area

A loss to Alex Tiedemann from Northwood-Kensett ended William Lawson’s state tourney.

The Pocahontas Area wrestler finishes the season 41-10 overall.