After coming up just short of a state championship last season, Albert Lea junior Zach Glazier is aiming for nothing less than to return to that stage this year.

“I want to leave no doubt this year that I want a state title,” Glazier said. “I was pretty devastated after coming that close last year. I expected to win a state title, so now it’s just pushing me that much more this year.”

Glazier has already racked up more than a handful of impressive wins this season. He has major decision victories over the No. 7, No. 4 and No. 3-ranked wrestlers in his 170  pound weight class. He also has two overtime wins over the No. 2-ranked Kenny O’Neil. His most recent tournament victory was at the Christmas Tournament in Rochester.

“(My onfidence) is extremely high right now,” he said. “It doesn’t matter really who I go out and wrestle. I go out there with the mindset to win every match. If I can wrestle my best in every match every thing else will take care of itself.”

Glazier took some time off from wrestling after last year’s state tournament to let his body heal. However, he started wrestling at Greco and Freestyle tournaments not long after.

Glazier is not the only Tiger to have high goals set for the season.  The No. 3-ranked Tigers have six individuals ranked in the top-10 of their weight classes. Junior Nic Cantu is No. 4 at 113, senior Jake Johnsrud is No. 5 at 132, senior Gavin Ignaszewski is No. 10 at 138, senior Brody Nielsen is No. 4 at 152, Glazier is No. 1 at 170 and junior Brady Nielsen is No. 6 at 195.

Glazier said he hopes the team can win the state dual tournament as well.

“We definitely wouldn’t be favored,” he said, “but if we all peaked at the right time and put in our best group effort, I think we could get it done.”

Glazier and the rest of the Tigers will resume action on Thursday at the Rumble on the Red tournament at the Fargo Dome in Fargo, North Dakota.