A three-time state wrestling qualifier at Pella High School is advancing to the NCAA Division III National Wrestling meet. Chase Petty, a 2015 graduate of Pella High and a senior at Central College, will compete for a National Championship March 8-9 after finishing in the top three individually at the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional on Sunday.

Punching his ticket the hard way, Petty rebounded from a loss in the 133-pound semifinals with two consolation bracket victories. A 7-3 decision over Tyler Difiiore of Luther College preceded a 12-9 defeat of Dalton Landreth of Westminster College in the third-place match.

“The biggest thing that needs to be to be understood is the commitment he made six months ago,” Central Head Coach Eric Van Kley said. “He transformed his body and in the process transformed his mind. He literally lost 35 pounds and totally did it the right way. He had his eye on making it a special senior season at 133 pounds and I cannot give him enough credit.”

Petty qualified for the Class 3A Iowa High School Wrestling Meet each season from 2013-2015 while he was a member of the Pella wrestling team.

Central Senior Cam Timok also qualified, winning all of his matches at 125 pounds with one-point decisions. Sophomore Griffen McBride, a Pleasantville native, placed seventh in the 184 pound weight class.