Messenger photos by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Joe Constable works on the consolation side Saturday at state in Des Moines. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Joe Constable has made a habit of extending matches and getting his hand raised in extra time.

The Dodger heavyweight did it again on Saturday, going to the ultimate tie-breaker to bring home a fifth place medal.

“The coaches have prepared me well and having a practice partner like Dreshaun (Ross) definitely keeps me sharp,” Constable said. “Earning a medal as a sophomore is great, but there is some unfinished business down here.

“I will need to get back in the room next week and prepare for Freestyle and Greco season. I’m looking forward to next year, but would like to thank my coaches and teammates for a great season.”

Constable (42-8) was the first Dodger heavyweight to earn a state medal since Steve Davis in 1988.

The fifth-seeded Constable went eight minutes and 27 seconds to grab the fifth-place medal.

“Joe put in a lot of time,” Dodger head coach Bobby Thompson said. “He waited his turn and when it came, he made the most of it. That’s what coach (former FDSH coach Don) Miller did to start this program. You didn’t get into the lineup until you were ready.

“Joe did everything he could and didn’t complain.”

Constable was pitted against seventh-seed Cary Cox (42-8) of Pleasant Valley for fifth. Both wrestlers escaped in the second and third periods, and sudden victory went scoreless.

In the two 30-second OTs, both wrestlers escaped.

Constable won the toss and selected down in the ultimate tie-breaker. The wrestlers went off the mat with nine seconds remaining and were re-centered. Constable quickly got out with three seconds left.

“It was a big-time hustle by Joe at the end,” Thompson said. “He’s come a long way wrestling against bigger upperclassmen.

“He has had some big wins and is full of determination.”

Constable dropped his consolation semifinal match to second-seeded Kolton Borcherding-Johnson (39-2) of Norwalk. Borcherding-Johnson prevailed, 4-2. It was their second meeting at state, as Constable lost 2-1 the first time.

The FDSH sophomore is 5-2 in overtime matches this year, while going 11-5 in matches decided by three points or less. Seven of his losses were by decision; only one defeat came via fall.

“I’m excited for sure and also know there’s room for improvement,” Constable said. “I love those kinds of matches that test you mentally.”

Constable, who has the most single-season wins by a heavyweight in school history with 42, had 16 pins and four technical falls.

The heavyweight went 4-2 in the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals. He had a fall, a decision and two overtime victories.

“I think that was the case at the beginning of the year (opponents overlooking Constable),” Thompson said. “Joe is so powerful through his core. I feel like he was the talk of the tournament to a certain extent.

“Other schools were coming along to follow ‘Big Joe,’ they said.”

Fort Dodge entered the state tournament with nine qualifiers.

Junior Dreshaun Ross (215) was a state champion and senior Koy Davidson (144) was a runner up due to an injury.

Juniors Jesse Egli (35-13 at 175) and Rylee Brown (35-18 at 157) will now be three-time qualifiers entering their senior year.

Sophomore Trace Rial (23-7 at 106) is slated to return after his second visit in as many years, and sophomore Jayce Skow (15-23 at 165) will look for a second straight trip.

Freshman Damien Yeoman (33-19 at 113) made his state debut. Senior Hunter Richardson (21-26 at 150) did as well.

The Dodgers were 11th with 81 points.