Four Lake Mills Bulldogs were still contenders in the Iowa state wrestling tournament on Friday morning.

Senior Gabe Irons, sophomore Tyler Helgeson and freshman Elijah Wagner all had a chance at the title, while freshman Jack Ramaker was fighting his way up the consolation side of the bracket.

Helgeson was the first Bulldog on the mat Friday afternoon and would hold on to beat his opponent in a tough low-scoring match, 1-0. After an escape in the second period, he was able to ride out his opponent for the entire third period, claiming a spot in the semifinals.

Wagner wasn’t able to find the same success as his teammate. He ran into a buzzsaw in his opponent Ryan Schott, who had only lost two matches all year. Wager would get his shot at redemption in the consolation bracket, but would fall short, losing his match 10-3. The freshman’s season comes to an end with a record of 41-17.

Irons would once again prove he belonged among the elites in his weight class. He pinned his opponent, who had only lost three matches this year, in 1:24. Irons moves on to the semifinals taking place later tonight.

Ramaker, who was sent to the consolation rounds after losing his first match Thursday night, got his second win on the consolation side of the bracket with a 7-2 decision win. The win guarantees him at least an eighth-place finish, but could climb to as high as third.

What started out as six Bulldogs wrestlers is now down to three. All will wrestle again later tonight, with Helgeson and Irons vying for a shot in the finals and Ramaker still trying to make their way up the consolation bracket. Look to the Tribune for more tournament results as they become available.