DES MOINES -- Ethan Humphrey of West Branch's never met a stage too big for his wrestling talents.
The third-seeded 106-pounder in the Class 1A state wrestling tournament field has attained multiple All-American honors at prestigious sites such as Fargo and Las Vegas, so bright lights don't faze him.
They simply point the way to his ultimate destination.
"(This is) just another steppingstone for me," Humphrey said after topping upset-minded Jackson Gogel of Lisbon, 6-0, to advance to Friday's 1A semifinals. "I'm looking for bigger, better things. The state title is the biggest thing on my mind right now."
Several weeks ago, the mere possibility of wrestling for a state crown appeared shrouded in doubt after Humphrey broke his wrist in practice. He cut off his cast two weeks before districts -- and has been full speed ahead on the mat ever since.
"It was very difficult accepting that I had an injury that could shorten up my season," said Humphrey, who improved to 21-2 this season. "But I had to come back better than ever. Had to be more prepared and have better conditioning.
"I'm grateful that I got my cast cut off and was able to wrestle the state tournament."
Now Humphrey -- who placed eighth at 106 as a freshman last season -- stands two wins from the top of the podium. But his greatest inspiration doesn't come from within. It comes from his grandpa, whose show of strength while battling cancer guides and humbles him every day, and each step of the way.
"I'm really doing it for him," Humphrey said.
Lisbon 113-pounder Cael Stricker embarked on an on-paper upset run at state that's included a pair of stark reversals of fortune. Stricker, the ninth seed, beat No. 8 Jake Kramer of Lynnville-Sully by technical fall in Wednesday's second round bout. He then toppled top-seeded Nic Brase of Nashua-Plainfield, 10-7 in Thursday's quarterfinal round.
So what's the common denominator connecting those triumphs? Kramer and Brase had pinned Stricker earlier this season.
"Every time I come off the mat I know I can beat that guy the next time that I see (him)," said Stricker, who's locked up his first top-six state finish. "It's just going back, reviewing film, and seeing the little things and just not wanting to give up. Once you put that much time into something, you really want to get the job done."
Don Bosco leads the 1A team race with 107.5 points. Alburnett is lurking in second with 83.5 points and Wilton's third with 63.5 points. Jesup checks in at fifth with 48 points, and West Branch (42.5 points) and Lisbon (41 points) round out the top 10.
Alburnett's second-seeded 126-pounder Rowdy Neighbor wrapped up his fourth state tournament medal and stayed on track for a potential second straight title with a win by major decision in the quarterfinals.
Neighbor, who won the crown at 120 last year, joined teammates Owen Henriksen (120), Preston Klostermann (138) and Shayden Washburn (175) in advancing to Friday's semifinal round.
"Everybody has their own job, but as one of the lightweights, I kind of take it a step further responsibility to get the ball rolling," said Neighbor, who's lost just three matches all season. "I feel like (Henriksen) has done. Great job doing that this year -- same with (113-pounder Atlee) Dewitt. I feel like we're in a good spot."
North Tama's unbeaten and fourth-seeded 150-pounder Kolt Knaack found himself covered in blood after a grueling, 11-7, quarterfinal win over the Pirates' fifth-seeded Reece Klostermann in Thursday's quarterfinal. He also found himself down, 3-1, after the first period before recovering to improved to 45-0 this season.
"You always like to be in those tough matches," said Knaack, who placed sixth at 144 last year at state. "I haven't gone the full length very many times this year, so it was nice to finally get a good, hard match and go the whole way."
Aidan Timm of Belle Plaine used all six of his minutes Thursday, shocking third-seeded Gabriel Brisker in the 138-pound quarters. Timm, the sixth seed, got a takedown and two near-fall points in the final two seconds to win, 9-8.
Cooper Hinz of Jesup (120), Brock Morris of Cascade (132), Tiernan Boots of Lisbon (150), Clay Wilgenbusch of East Buchanan (165), and Nathan Beitz of Maquoketa Valley (285) also secured spots in the semifinals.