The past two seasons have seen a surge in success for the Pella boys wrestling team — but by the district meet, many of the talented athletes in green and white just missed state tournament bids.
With several key returners and a few talented newcomers, Pella Head Coach Jay Pike believes the 2022-23 squad can take another step forward and push the program toward greater heights.
The Dutch placed fourth just behind DCG at the 2022 Little Hawkeye Conference tournament, with four league champions crowned that day, and five wrestlers placed 3rd or better at the district meet — and this season, those would be state qualifiers.
Competition opens on Thursday, December 1st at Urbandale.
Here are the top wrestlers returning for the 2022 Pella Boys Wrestling Team (with their 2022 finishing weight and win loss record, as per TrackWrestling):
Damion Clark, Junior – 120 pounds (29-9 record)
Clark is now a two-time Little Hawkeye Conference champion, but has narrowly missed state bids in his first two varsity seasons. He won in a deep weight class by one point at the league meet, and ended up 3rd at the state qualifier, falling to Jacob McKenzie of Norwalk in a stunning loss by fall. Clark has narrowly missed state appearances two seasons in a row — and wants to take the next step toward state contention in 2022-23.
Peyton Ritzert, Senior – 138 pounds (17-2 record)
Ritzert missed the first half of the previous season due to injury, but once he was on the mat, he was hard to beat — winning a Little Hawkeye Conference championship. But Ritzert never got a wrestleback at district’s last year, falling to Andon Trout 9-6. Peyton has his sights set on a podium finish at Wells Fargo Arena — and in the meantime, may be the most consistent source of points for the Dutch this winter.
T.R. Putz, Junior – 145 pounds (28-10 record)
Putz was on the cusp on something special in 2022 — and gave it a strong effort but ultimately fell to eventual state champion and current UNI Panther Ryder Downey at the Little Hawkeye Conference meet. At the district final, he ran into then undefeated defending champion Joel Jesuroga of Southeast Polk at the district meet, but did earn a chance at a wrestle back — only to be pinned by Zach Streeter of Carlisle. Putz has been dealing with an off-season injury, but looks to make a bigger impact as the season wears on.
Jackson Van Kley, Junior – 152 pounds (34-15 record)
The lone state qualifier from the Dutch in 2022-23 — it’s obvious he won’t have to go to Wells Fargo Arena alone with the expanded qualifying realm. The son of Central Dutch Head Coach Eric Van Kley saved his best for last, defeating Dominic Tigner of Norwalk in a thriller to end the day at the state qualifying meet in Carlisle. Considering some natural offseason growth, Van Kley may be up a weight class this winter, so there will be new challenges on the horizon regardless to get back to the final round after a 1-2 showing in 2022.
Ty Halverson, Senior – 160 pounds (22-15 record)
Halverson will be one of the few senior leaders on the mat for the Dutch in 2022-23. Ty was a part of a crowded middleweight group of Dutch wrestlers and this year, and looks to land on the Dutch postseason roster after posting a winning record last winter.
Logan Bruxvoort, Sophomore – 160 pounds (33-5 record)
Logan burst onto the scene with one of the best freshman debut seasons in program history. Bruxvoort won two quick pins to win the 160 pound conference title in short order, but just like Peyton Ritzert, narrowly lost by decision in the second round of districts and never got a wrestle back chance in the finals despite two strong pinfall wins. Bruxvoort fell to Gabe Carver of Urbandale. Logan looks to take a leap to new heights — and not only get to the state meet, but contend for a high podium finish.
Kieran Van Voorst, Junior – 182 pounds (21-14 record)
Van Voorst had one of the better finals’ matches of the day at the LHC meet, defeating Isaiah Kellow of Indianola to earn the school’s fourth individual league title. Kieran lost in sudden victory in the opening round of state qualifying at Carlisle as well. Depending on his final weight class, Van Voorst aims to be a more consistent presence in the larger side of the Pella bracket.
Noah Parsons, Junior – 195 pounds (24-10 record)
Parsons placed 2nd at the conference meet in 2022, falling to eventual state discus champion Walker Whalen (5th at state), and was a 4th place finisher for the Dutch at the district meet to eventual 3rd place winner Andrew Reed of Southeast Polk. Parsons will be part of a potential shuffle at the larger weight classes, but regardless, will want to gun for a top three state qualifying meet finish and possibly more.
Daniel Loftis – Junior – 285 pounds (24-16 record)
Daniel had big shoes to fill in the heavyweight division after the graduation of two-time qualifier Kody Huisman, and had a solid debut campaign. Loftis placed 3rd in a deep LHC bracket, and fell to eventual 3rd place finisher Maddux Borcherding-Johnson of Norwalk at the district meet. The biggest question will be how much closer Daniel is to some of those elite heavyweights in 2022-23 — and if he’s made big strides, look for the Dutch to be a strong team to deal with top to bottom.