Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Tate Slagle of Algona controls his match on Wednesday at the state tournament in Des Moines. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Moments after reaching the quarterfinal round, Tate Slagle was already thinking ahead — and being critical of himself.

The Algona senior is a four-time state qualifier and a two-time medalist.

Slagle is hoping his opening-round victory at 157 pounds on Wednesday is the beginning of the medal chase.

“It feels good to get the first match out of the way,” Slagle said. “I didn’t really get to my attacks that well, but I still got the job done.”

Slagle (31-2) picked up a 13-2 major decision over Brady Grier (34-13) of Williamsburg. Up next for Slagle — who improved his career record to 162-19 — is fifth-seeded Liam Weber (42-2) of West Delaware.

“For my upcoming match, it’s going to be a tough scrap, but that’s what makes it fun,” Slagle said. “Last time we wrestled I came out on top, but I gave up too many points.

“The goal for my next match is to obviously win, but I need to wrestle a full six minutes and wrestle at a high level.”

Junior Gavin Goche (215) reached the quarterfinals with two victories. Goche (28-6) pinned Brody Robertson of Hampton-Dumont/CAL in 40 seconds. He then defeated Clarinda’s Mason Nally (44-9) by a final of 11-7.

“Tate and Gavin both wrestled really well,” said Algona head coach Nick Kuecker. “Wide open, score points. I thought Jack (Limbaugh) wrestled solid. He just got out of position at the end.

“Lots of wrestling to do. Keep competing.”

Up next for Goche is top-seed Mason Koehler (39-4) of Glenwood.

“It was a tough day overall,” Kuecker said. “We have got to reset and go to work on the backside of a bunch of these brackets.

“That’s what guys with grit do, and I think we will.”

Junior Barrett Morgan (144) lost a 4-0 decision to Colin Sesker (34-8) of the Cowboys.

On the docket for Morgan (33-11) is No. 21 Gavin Day (29-17) of Winterset.

Senior Iowa State University recruit Jordan Limbaugh (285) lost 2-1 to Davenport Assumption’s Maxwell Azzaline (24-9) by a score of 2-1. Limbaugh (35-12) will wrestle against Alexander Kasner (32-22) of Woodward-Granger.

Four-time state qualifier Asthon Moreno (150) lost a tight 6-5 decision to Briggs Collins (43-11) of West Liberty. Moreno (37-9), the fifth seed, will face No. 22 Evan Keisick of North Polk.

Carter McGregor (165) pinned Chase Humpal of NH/TV in 3:03 of his opener. McGregor (33-11) then lost to Christopher Meyer (38-15) of Independence, 13-3.

McGregor now has Urijah Etzel of Monticello.

Tayten Rummel (175) won a 4-0 decision over Jacob Aust of Glenwood, 4-0, then lost to Christian Dunning (51-0) of Clear Lake, 3:02.

Rummel (33-18) will square off with Jayden Kreitlow (35-21) of Eagle Grove.

Freshman Teague Alesch (106) lost his opening match to Rhyis Polenske (32-10) of Davenport Assumption.

Alesch (24-19) will now taken on Ryan Rose (43-10) of Keokuk.

Junior Thomas Zabka (22-14 at 113) lost by fall to Hunter Campion of Anamosa in 3:27. Zabka’s next opponent will be No. 11 Stratton Luke (42-11) of LaPorte City.

Senior Isaac Wilson (126) and freshman CJ McGregor (132) both won their first matches and lost in the second round.

Wilson (38-7) earned an 18-3 tech fall in 4:50 over Andrew Reed (23-21) of North Polk. He then lost an 11-2 major decision to Jayce Curry (11-1) of Sergeant Bluff-Luton.

Wilson now has Jason Eastman (29-22) of Benton.

McGregor (24-10) won a tight 9-7 match over Josh Hoffmann (33-11) of Sheldon, then dropped a match to Mason Vaila (12-2) of Decorah. McGregor’s next foe is Jared Glendening (40-14) of Burlington.