It’ll be a tough act to follow for the Pella wrestling team this winter after one of the best seasons in program history in 2021.

Last season, Pella placed 2nd in the 3A District meet, 3rd in the Little Hawkeye Conference meet, and earned a spot in the Regional Duals as a team — with two individuals and now graduates Ryan Van Donselaar and Kody Huisman both earning podium finishes at Wells Fargo Arena.

But a plethora of returning and growing talent, especially in their middleweight classes, has Pella Head Wrestling Coach Jay Pike excited for what this winter can hold.

Pike says a core group of wrestlers including 2021 Conference Champion Damion Clark, Jackson Van Kley, and Noah Parsons, and several other key returners will make for competitive practices and depth that will make the Dutch even more of a contender to win more dual meets and tournaments.

Pella opens the 2021-22 wrestling season at a triangular with Urbandale and Des Moines North on Thursday, December 2nd.