Call it a bit of a cop out and maybe two distinct stories in a lot of ways, but the rise of wrestling at Pella High School kicks off another loaded and memorable countdown of the biggest headlines and moments from another remarkable year of athletics at Pella High School.

It was a memorable rise over the past four years in what has effectively been a revival of boys wrestling for the land of the Dutch, which culminated with a school record seven qualifiers. Pella tied for 2nd overall at their district meet and earned top three finishes from Damion Clark – 132, Rex Rhamy – 138, TR Putz – 150, Logan Bruxvoort – 165, Jackson Van Kley – 190, Kieran Van Voorst – 215, and Noah Parsons – 285. For Van Kley, this was his third consecutive trip after placing 8th last year, and Bruxvoort and Clark became back-to-back qualifiers. Van Kley ultimately finished 4th in his final match with the Dutch.

Pella State Qualifiers Wrestlers Damion Clark, Rex Rhamy, TR Putz, Logan Bruxvoort, Jackson Van Kley, Kieran Van Voorst, and Noah Parsons discuss the accomplishment:

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The girls wrestling team continued to build the newer version of the sport, with three total qualifiers in 2024. Emmalee Spurgeon of Pella highlighted the two-day event in Coralville this past February, placing 4th at 155 pounds. Teammate Elaine Babcock placed 7th at 190, ending her senior season with a victory. The duo joined the new wrestling program at the school as juniors having never competed on the mat, and both finish as the first to place at the state meet for the Dutch girls program.

Girls Wrestling Season Recap Interview from February (with Emmalee Spurgeon and Elaine Babcock):

Serenity Turner will move on to her hometown school this winter, but gave the Dutch a third qualifier this past season.