Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Hendrik Puuraid works toward a win for Manson Northwest Webster at state on Wednesday in Des Moines. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Hendrik Puuraid made the most of his first appearance at the state wrestling tournament here on Wednesday afternoon.

The Manson Northwest Webster junior, who is a foreign exchange student from Estonia, needed just over five minutes of time on the mat inside Wells Fargo Arena to reach the Class 1A quarterfinals at 215 pounds.

Puuraid (32-3) will now face Carter Wright of Woodbury Central when the session starts at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Joining Puuraid from the area in the quarters will be Emmetsburg’s Justin and Ryan Wirtz along with Karson Wuebker from South Central Calhoun.

“Coming here, my friends told me to try wrestling,” Puuraid said. “Before the season, we had a few open mats and I quickly fell in love with the sport. Once the football season was over and we started having practices and competitions, I really started to enjoy wrestling.”

A three-time champion in the sport of Judo in his native home of Estonia, Puuraid came to the United States with no wrestling experience and had only seen a handful of matches. He earned a fall in 4:37 over Ryan Baer from Osage in the opening round before pinning Carson Edney of Logan-Magnolia in just 30 seconds.

“Hendrik has learned a lot this year,” MNW co-head coach Mitchell Krueger said. “He competed very hard and we are extremely proud of him. We knew he would be a competitor each time out on the mat, but he continues to surprise us every day.”

Puuraid will get a chance to avenge one of his losses when he matches up with Wright, the No. 4 seed and a returning state qualifier. Wright, who earned the Doug Wood Invitational title over Puuraid earlier this year, pinned Emmetsburg’s Nick Saxton after receiving a bye.

“The experience has been amazing,” he said. “I had a chance to see the girls state tournament and that really inspired and motivated me to make it to state. Wrestling in front of a big crowd like this is definitely a unique experience for me and getting two pins in such a tournament is just amazing.”

Emmetsburg

Both Justin and Ryan Wirtz are once again in pursuit of medals for the E-Hawks, as both advanced to the 1A quarterfinals with decisive victories on Wednesday.

Justin Wirtz, the No. 3 seed at 175 pounds, scored a fall in 2:19 over Caden Sykes of Colfax-Mingo after receiving a bye. Wirtz, who was fourth last year at state after qualifying as a sophomore, will face Treynor’s Zach Robbins.

Ryan Wirtz, a junior, scored a technical fall over Tate Frantz from West Branch in the second round at 190 pounds. He is in his third state meet but seeking a first medal.

Up next for Ryan Wirtz will be Wilton’s Gaitlin Rogers, a junior who is the No. 3 seed in the bracket.

Both CJ Rodriguez and Nick Saxton will compete in the consolations. Saxton earned a win in his first match by fall.

South Central Calhoun

Karson Wuebker experienced plenty of success on the state and national scene before entering high school. Now, the Titan freshman will get his chance to secure a spot in the semifinals at 106 pounds.

Wuebker, a district runner-up and Twin Lakes Conference champion, scored a technical fall to improve to 50-3 over Avery Vacek of Underwood in the championship second round on Wednesday.

Up next for Wuebker will be Don Bosco’s Kaiden Belinsky, who earned the No. 1 seed in the bracket.

Wuebker’s teammates, Cooper Nattress and Jace Pedersen, will be competing in the consolations. Nattress lost his first round matchup while Pedersen earned a fall before losing in the second round.

North Union

Max Merrill and Brennan Bollinger will try to keep their hopes of a state medal alive when they are in action in the consolations on Thursday.

Merrill, a sophomore at 175 pounds, lost in the opening round. Bollinger, a senior at heavyweight, earned a fall in 1:39 over Matthew Praska of Riceville before falling to Henry Lund of AHSTW.

Pocahontas Area

William Lawson opened his state tournament with a decisive performance, earning a fall in 3:53 over Jeremiah Berg of Westwood. In his second match at 150, Lawson, a junior, fell to Kolt Knaack from North Tama.

Lawson (36-4) will be in action in the consolations looking to secure his spot on the podium.

West Bend-Mallard

Mason Knapp suffered a tough loss in the second round at 106 pounds, as the Wolverine junior will now need to rally for a chance at a medal.

Knapp (36-6) earned a bye before falling to Jaxson Page of Alta-Aurelia, 17-3.