Messenger photos by Britt Kudla: Brent Dennhardt of Greene County celebrates his 2A state title on Saturday in Des Moines. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Brent Dennhardt of Greene County understood the process.

The path that creates a legacy. And that’s exactly the direction he went.

Dennhardt (29-2), who was competing in the state tournament for the third time, reached the ultimate plateau here on Saturday night, earning a Class 2A state title for the Rams.

“I loved not only the grind to get there,” Dennhardt said, “but also, people around me working day in and day out not only to be a better wrestler, but a better person when all is said and done.”

The Greene County senior took gold at 157 pounds. Dennhardt was a qualifier a year ago, and placed eighth as a sophomore.

Dennhardt, just the eighth seed, topped sixth-seeded Tucker Wheeler (41-7) of PCM Monroe in the finals by a score of 5-1.

“It means the world, not only to me but my family and my coaches,” Dennhardt said. “The people who have put in the time and sweat (equity) to get me here.”

Dennhardt ran through a gauntlet of higher-ranked opponents. After a first round bye, he defeated ninth-seed Caleb Seaba of Clarion-Goldfield-Dows with a 19-3 technical fall.

Up next in the quarterfinals was top-ranked Lucas Kral (50-3) of Garner-Hayfield. Dennhardt advanced with a comfortable 7-1 win.

Kral finished third this year and was a runner-up as a junior, while also securing fourth as a sophomore.

In the semifinals, Dennhardt defeated fourth-seeded Tate Slagle (33-4) of Algona in a 5-4 barnburner.

Dennhardt closes his prep career with a record of 110-15.

It’s been a banner stretch for the Rams the past five seasons. From 2020 to 2025, Greene County advanced seven wrestlers to the finals, with five now winning state titles.

Kale Petersen and McKinley Robbins were golden in 2023. In 2022, Petersen was first and Robbins a runner up.

Robbins won a title in 2021, and was second as a freshman in 2020.

CLASS 1A

Emmetsburg

E-Hawk senior Justin Wirtz (175) and junior Ryan Wirtz (190) brought home fifth- and sixth-place medals, respectively.

Justin Wirtz is a three-time state qualifier. He placed fourth a year ago. Wirtz (40-3) is 120-17 in his career.

Justin picked up a 14-0 major decision over Shayden Washburn (47-6) of Alburnett in the place match. He lost to Gavin Muller (48-6) of Osage, 11-4, in the consolation semifinals.

Ryan Wirtz (34-7) fell to Jackson Verschoor (34-3) of Woodbury Central (fall 3:21) in the fifth-place match. He also suffered a 9-1 setback versus Jayden Dickerson (58-1) of Shenandoah in the consolation semifinals.

South Central Calhoun

It was a great start to a promising state career for Titan Karson Wuebker (106). The South Central Calhoun freshman compiled a 53-5 overall record and placed fifth in Des Moines.

Wuebker, the 8 seed, earned a 5-2 decision over 12th-seeded Jaxson Page (48-10) of Alta/Aurelia in the fifth place match. He then lost to Ehtan Humphrey (23-3) of West Branch in the consolation semifinals.

Wuebker won four matches for the week. He had a fall, tech fall, major decision and decision.