The spring sports season starts this week for the Dutch, who are among the best schools in the entire state when the calendar flips to late March. Stay tuned for season previews for the soccer and tennis teams on Tuesday. The boys and girls track and field teams were highlighted late last week.
Despite Loss of Top Duo from 2022; Successful Spring Remains in Sights of Pella Boys Golf
Coming off of one of the best seasons in program history, the Pella boys golfers will miss some elite senior play at the top of their scorecards in 2023, but a deep bunch of returners keeps the Dutch in the mix for conference titles and a run to the state meet in May.
Head Coach Bob Fessler has been leading the Dutch boys golf program for 22 years, and says it is hard to replace what was lost when state runner-up Will Simpson and 16th place individual Ayden Gordon earned their diplomas — two of the best individuals the program has ever seen. But he says the group coming up will aim to build off of stellar seasons of their own as they contributed to a 2nd place finish in the conference tournament and 4th place in the Class 3A state event to end the season.
A solid group of four varsity letterwinners highlights the 2023 lineup, including Cade McGinley, AJ Hoekstra, Simon Thoreson, and Thomas Tangen. Pella’s schedule is deep this spring, and includes several competitions against the Little Hawkeye Conference and their annual Dutch Masters tournament April 14th and 15th, which features seven 2022-ranked foes from 2A and 3A. The Dutch boys open at Saydel this Friday.
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Growing Numbers, Several Returners Giving Pella Girls Golf Program Momentum
Small, but mighty, the Pella girls golf team is fresh off of a season with a 9th grade state qualifier. Class of 2022 graduate Raegan Van Wyk departs from the top of the card for Coach Joe Tangen, but an experienced bunch remaining could make some noise in the Little Hawkeye Conference in what’s supposed to be the quietest activity of the year.
Karsyn Lyons placed in a tie for 28th out of 76 individual golfers at the two-day state tournament held in Adel. Returners Ellie Wogen, Olivia Hood, Olivia Deneke and Aubrey VandeNoord hope to provide steady hands in the middle of the lineup, looking to drop average nine-hole scores from the mid 50s into the upper 40s.
Pella aims to improve upon a 4th place finish in the conference tournament and chase a strong district finish in the deep Class 3A field of area teams. What Head Coach Joe Tangen — who enters his 7th season at the helm, is most excited about, is a growing program that has its largest numbers since their 2016 state tournament team.
The Dutch girls are also welcoming Emerson Lee from Oskaloosa, who was one stroke from being recognized as All Conference in 2022. Pella opens the girls golf season Thursday at Lynnville-Sully.