Dozens of Pella High School graduates are continuing competition following their time in green and white. See a rundown of how those athletes have done recently below. Please note — any omissions are not made intentionally and should be emailed to andrewschneider@kniakrls.com.

Graduates from 2021 and before:

Grant Judkins – Lansing Lugnuts Baseball (Oakland A’s Organization)
The greatest baseball player in Pella’s program history and one of the greatest ever in Iowa’s history had his best professional season in 2024. Pitching in the Minor Leagues, Judkins had a 4-5 win-loss record and a 3.56 ERA in 12 starts for the Lansing Lugnuts. He tallied 75 strikeouts in 83 ⅓ innings.  That included a combined no hitter against his home state Cedar Rapids Kernels in June. 

Emily Holterhaus – Béziers Angels Volleyball (French Volleyball League)
Holterhaus has played and started regularly for the Angels, who are ranked 7th in their French-based league. She tallied 47 sets and ranks 32nd individually in her league in their overall individual ranking index for outside hitters, racking up 93 kills with a .283 hitting percentage.

Caroline McMartin – Driftless Distance Project
The eight-time All-American at Central College is focused on dentistry, but still competes with the Driftless Distance Project, a team based in southwest Wisconsin.

Nick DeJong – University of Iowa Football, Graduate
Played on offensive line in all 11 games, earning his first start of the season at right tackle at Maryland and paved the way for offense rushing for 200+ yards in eight games, which is the most since 2015.

Hailey Kowzan – Simpson College Soccer, Senior
Kowzan appeared in 21 matches and scored six goals for the Storm in her fifth season. She added 12 assists as well. Hailey earned her first All-Region award after tying for the 5th highest season assist total in school history. Kowzan was a key in getting the Storm back to the NCAA DIII Tournament this past fall after doing so in 2023 as well. 

Tyler Vander Molen – Dordt University Track and Field, Senior
Vander Molen placed ninth among the field of 40-plus athletes at the SDSU Holiday Invite with a personal-best of 14.45m (47-05) in the shot put. Tyler has competed in multiple meets since the 2021-22 season, and placed in the top ten at ten different meets last winter and spring. 

Kody Huisman – North Dakota State Football – Junior
Huisman has been a starting defensive lineman for the Bison, who are playing for the FCS National Championship on Monday. Kody has 34 total tackles — 7.5 for loss in 2024, and forced a fumble in the National Semifinals game against South Dakota State on December 21st. He’s also blocked two kicks. Huisman has appeared in 44 games since 2022. 

Madison Naig – Northwestern College Basketball, Senior
Naig has appeared in nearly all Red Raider contests this winter, scoring 2.3 points and adding 1.4 rebounds per game. She had a season high six points on December 7th.

Courtney Paxton – Simpson College Volleyball, Senior
The three-time letterwinner for the Storm played in 24 matches and 82 sets in 2024, tallying 92 kills, 36 blocks, and 32 digs this past fall. 

Grant Nelson – Central College Football, Senior
Nelson was an All-Conference second-team honoree for the Dutch this past fall and for the second consecutive season. He tallied 34 catches and 306 yards with one touchdown in his senior campaign.

Camille Dixson – Grand View Soccer, Senior
Camille Started in nine matches and tallied 667 minutes in her senior season. Dixson was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the second time. 

Joe Jansen – Central College Football, Senior
Jansen appeared in 10 games and scored on a fumble recovery for a touchdown against Luther, and added three tackles against Loras on November 2nd.

Ethan Gordon – Central College Golf, Senior
Gordon played six rounds this past fall, with an average score of 78.17.

Luke Galeazzi – William Penn Golf, Senior
Luke appeared in 10 rounds this past fall, with an average score of 77.1 strokes in his senior season. He tied for 28th at the Grand View Invite and 20th at the Heart Preview.

Abigail Cutler-Henton – University of Memphis Cross Country, Senior
The daughter of current Head Cross Country Coach Doug Cutler continues to compete, and placed 189th at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa this past fall. She originally started her collegiate running at Truman State.

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Class of 2022:

Will Simpson – Southern Illinois University (transfer from Troy), Junior
Simpson played in five tournaments, with his best finish in a tie for 5th at the Grover Page Classic. His average was 73.5. Prior to SIUE, played in nine tournaments over two seasons at Troy where he had a career stroke average of 74.63.

Hannah Nedder – UNI Swim and Dive, Junior
Contributed to a second place finish in the 200-yard medley (1:45.58), placed fourth in the 50-yard freestyle (24.69), and first place in the 100-yard butterfly (57.72) against Iowa. Contributed to a first place finish in the 400-yard medley (3:53.27) and first in the 200-yard free relay (1:34.16), second place in the 100-yard butterfly (56.94) at the Huskies (Coyotes) Invite. Nedder has received several Missouri Valley Conference academic honors.

Anna Vander Waal – Grand View Soccer, Junior
Anna started in 14 matches and tallied 1243 minutes for the Vikings as a midfielder. She scored a goal at Missouri Valley. She was also named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the second time.

Meridith Rowe – Elmhurst Volleyball, Junior
Rowe appeared in six matches for Elmhurst, tallying 19 kills and six digs.

Aidan Pollock – Elmhurst Football, Junior
Pollock appeared in two games for Elmhurst in 2024 after accumulating 666 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons.

Preston Rowe – Central College Football, Junior
Preston tallied two receptions in ten games played for the Dutch this fall.

Josiah Wittenberg – Dordt University Track and Field and Cross Country, Junior
Wittenberg appeared in five cross country races this fall for the Defenders, placing 6th in the Wildcat invitational and 13th at the Dordt Holiday Inn Express Classic. He was 24th individually at the GPAC meet. Josiah placed 5th in the mile at the SDSU Holiday Open in December. Josiah placed 9th at the NAIA Outdoor Meet in the 4×800 this past spring after winning the 2024 GPAC title in the same race. Wittenberg is a two-time NAIA XC Scholar Athlete.

Emily McMartin – Central College Track and Field, Junior
The 2023 All-Conference sprinter has opened her indoor season with a 13th place finish at the Iowa State University indoor meet in the 400 meters and 4th place mark in the 60 meters in Ames. She was a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association academic honoree.

Gage Huyser – Central College Track and Field, Junior
Gage is coming off of a 20th place national finish in the decathlon in the 2024 NCAA DIII outdoor meet and 3rd place at the ARC Conference meet. He was a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association academic honoree.

Keegan Hansen – Wayne State College Baseball (transfer), Redshirt Freshman
Attended Grand View University for one year and spent the 2023-24 season at Southeastern Community College in Iowa before transferring.

Cole Hillman – Bethel University Baseball, Junior
Hillman appeared in five games in 2024, tallying four plate appearances.

Jrake Van Hemert – Central College Track and Field, Junior
Opened at the Iowa State Holiday Invitational, placing 14th overall (50.8). Finished in 14th at the outdoor American Rivers Conference Championships in May, and on the 3rd place 4×400 relay team.

Isaac Semini – Mesa Community College, Sophomore
Appeared in 16 games for Mesa and tallied five goals and an assist.

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Class of 2023:

Quinn Gruver – Northwest Missouri State Track and Field, Sophomore
Quinn Gruver opened his indoor sophomore season at the 2024 Mel Tjeerdsma Classic for Northwest Missouri State, placing 16th in the 60 meters with a time of 7.12 seconds. Gruver made regular appearances for the Bearcats in the spring of 2024 as well.

Chase Lauman – UNI Track and Field and Cross Country, Sophomore
The 2023 Drake Relays and multiple state champion battled injury to start his cross country season. He placed 56th at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship race. Lauman started his indoor season in December at Iowa State University placing 5th in the 5000 meters. Chase was an All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree in 2024.

Kenson Fuller – Grand View Football, Sophomore
Fuller made two appearances for the National Champions, tallying 62 yards on 11 rushing attempts.

Beau Bush – South Dakota Football (transfering), Sophomore
Bush announced his transfer to Saint Johns and the NCAA Division III program.

Jasmine Namminga – Calvin University Volleyball, Sophomore
Namminga received All-MIAA conference second team honors in 2024, and appeared in 94 sets for the Knights, tallying 132 kills with a .261 hitting efficiency that ranked 10th in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Jasmine’s 1.22 blocks per set and 115 total ranked second in the conference and 11th in all of Division III. Namminga also earned Academic All-District recognition.

Tate Weesner – Concordia University Baseball, Sophomore
Tate did not appear in a game in 2024, and is listed on the 2025 varsity roster.

Caleb Stewart – Central College Baseball, Sophomore
Caleb made one appearance as a freshman, and is listed on the 2025 varsity roster.

Trey Van Hauen – Dordt University Football, Sophomore
Trey played in eight games for the Defenders this past fall, tallying 12 tackles and tallying his first collegiate interception against Briar Cliff.

Cam Schulte – Central College Football, Sophomore
Schulte was active for the Dutch in 2024, racking up 35 catches and nine touchdowns for the Dutch. His nine scores ranked 5th in the American Rivers Conference for total season stats, and his 17.5 yards per reception was 3rd. He was also an Academic All-Conference honoree.

Ty Halverson – Central College Football, Sophomore
Ty made one appearance against Luther.

Haley Van Houweling – Warner University Soccer, Sophomore
Haley started in 11 games for Warner as a goalkeeper, playing 961 minutes in the net. Van Houweling racked up 65 total saves.The Royals competed in the National Christian College Athletic Association championship tournament to end the season.

Marissa Hackman – Northwestern College Track and Field, Sophomore
Hackman competed in 14 meets for the Red Raiders as a freshman. She was on the 4×100 relay team at Drake Stadium that placed 20th.

Brandon Fischer – Iowa State University Track and Field, Redshirt Freshman
Fischer has his best collegiate shot put (55-3 ¾ feet) and weight throws (58-10 ¼ feet) following appearances at the Iowa State University holiday invitational. Brandon competed unattached as a freshman.

Cashen Thompson – Central College Tennis, Sophomore
Thompson appeared in matches on September 20th. He earned the program’s Hardest Worker Award in 2024.

Anneka Stoltzfus – Dordt University Soccer, Sophomore
Anneka is listed on the Dordt women’s soccer roster.

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Class of 2024:

Abby Warner – University of Iowa Soccer, Freshman
Warner did not appear for the Hawkeyes in 2024.

Ava Curry – Drake University Softball, Freshman
Ava is listed on the Bulldogs varsity roster for this upcoming spring.

Nathan Vander Waal – Central College Track and Field and Cross Country, Freshman
Vander Waal placed 7th at the Les Duke Invitational and competed in Indianola.

Max Lauman – Central College Soccer, Freshman
Max appeared in six games and started in one, tallying an assist in 174 minutes.

Brody Ferrell – Central College Tennis, Freshman
Ferrell appeared in matches on September 15th and the 20th.

Emmalee Spurgeon – Grand View Wrestling, Freshman
Spurgeon has appeared in four tournaments so far. She placed 3rd at the Conner Oppenheim, 4th at the Luther Hill Open, 4th in the Waldorf University Open, and in the consolation round of the Missouri Valley Open.

Jackson Van Kley – Army Wrestling, Freshman
The West Point Cadet opened his collegiate career with a 3-0 start at the Journeyman Classic.

Damion Clark – Central College Wrestling, Freshman
Clark is listed on the varsity roster for the Dutch.

Macy Schroeder – Northwestern College Cross Country and Track and Field, Freshman
Schroeder opened her collegiate career in distance racing with six events, including personal bests in the 5K (20:58.6) and the 6K (24:58.9). She placed 33rd in the GPAC Championships.

Jake Huston – Northwestern College Cross Country and Track and Field, Freshman
Huston made multiple appearances for the Red Raiders, including the team’s top seven at the elite Roy Griak Invitational.

Bryn Higginbotham, Northwestern College Volleyball, Freshman
Played on the JV team in 2024.

Luke Hardman – MidAmerica Nazarene Football, Freshman
Listed on the roster as a QB, did not appear in 2024.

Reed Beard – MidAmerica Nazarene Football, Freshman
Listed on the roster as a LB, did not appear in 2024.

Ben Misterek – Carroll University Football, Freshman
Listed on the roster as a WR, did not appear in 2024.

Jack Briggs – Central College Tennis, Freshman
Briggs went 9-3 in singles and 3-2 in doubles for the Dutch in 2024. Jack was 2nd in the B singles flight of the American Rivers Individual Championship and 3rd in B-flight doubles.

Emily Blom – Central College Tennis, Freshman
Emily went 10-4 in singles and 5-1 in doubles for the Dutch in 2024. She won the C-Flight of singles championship and the C-Flight of doubles championship at the conference meet. Her doubles title was played with her cousin Abbie Den Adel.

Noah Parsons – Central College Football, Freshman
Parsons was listed on the roster as a DL, but did not appear in 2024.

Sophia Reynolds – Grand View Basketball, Freshman
The Newton native has played in two games so far for the Vikings.

Kennedy Van Vark – Grand View Basketball, Freshman
Kennedy has appeared in three games so far for the Vikings.

Lexie Bryan – Grand View Soccer, Freshman
Bryan played in two games and tallied 74 minutes as a defender, starting once.

Aaliyah Riddick – Simpson Volleyball, Freshman
Riddick is listed on the roster for the Storm but did not appear in varsity action.

Hanson King – Iowa State Track and Field, Freshman
Hanson has yet to appear for the Cyclones, but did compete unattached in their opening indoor meet.

Tristan Gordon – Central College Basketball, Freshman
Gordon is listed on the roster for the Dutch, but has not appeared yet this winter.

Teddy Apostolopoulos – Central College Soccer, Freshman
Teddy started in 16 games for the Dutch in 2024, tallying an assist in 1012 minutes on the pitch.

Donovan Helle – Central College Football, Freshman
Helle appeared in the game against Luther on October 19th.

Nicolas Stanley – Central College Football, Freshman
He did not appear in the 2024 season for the Dutch.

Cor Huyser – Central College Track and Field, Freshman
Listed on the roster for the Dutch.

Alloree Else – Northwestern Women’s Tennis, Freshman
Else played in two singles matches and four doubles matches for the Red Raiders this fall, winning three times as part of a pair.

Austin Bone, Central College Soccer, Freshman
Bone appeared in 14 matches for the Dutch, tallying 311 minutes and two assists.

Kyli Hiemstra, Central College Volleyball, Freshman
Kyli appeared in one set for the Dutch in 2024.