Despite sharing brackets with the 2024 state dual wrestling champions in Class 3A and a few other strong programs, the Pella boys wrestling team is aiming for multiple state qualifiers this Saturday in Marshalltown.

Head Coach Jay Pike says the inclusion of Southeast Polk and an Urbandale team that had a lot of success against the Dutch earlier this season will make the road to Wells Fargo Arena more difficult, but he’s also excited to see how his senior heavy team can overcome those obstacles.

Pella features three returning state qualifiers, including 8th placewinner Jackson Van Kley (190 – 34-3 record), a two-time visitor, as well as three-time conference champion Damion Clark (132 – 29-6 record) and current league weightclass winner Logan Bruxvoort (165 – 16-3 record).

Beyond that trio, seniors T.R. Putz (150 – 25-4) and Kieran Van Voorst (215 – 27-7) are hoping to overcome previous district tournament heartbreak and earn bids of their own. The top three wrestlers from each bracket will advance to next week’s state wrestling tournament. Several other Dutch enter the meet with winning records, including:

Xavier Tobin – 120 – 19-11
Colby Putz – 138 – 25-8
Noah Parsons – 285 – 7-3

Matches begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in the 3A boys wrestling state qualifying meet in Marshalltown.