Veteran Dutch wrestling squad ready for new season

PELLA — A roster deep with experienced wrestlers at nearly every weight class has spirits high in the Central College wrestling room this season.

Of the 49 wrestlers on the Dutch roster this fall, 18 of them are returning letterwinners. Seven of those 18 are returning starters from last year’s squad that was 12-4 in duals and tied for 21st at the NCAA Division III Championships. Central also went 5-3 in conference matches, taking fourth in the deepest Division III wrestling conference in the country.

“This team has worked so hard at redeveloping our culture,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “We bring back a really strong core of our team.

The roster was infused with 18 freshmen who bring talent and depth to nearly every weight class.

125

Central has had a strong run of 125-pound wrestlers over the last eight years, including a third-place national finish by Shandon Akeo in 2022. He was the fifth All-American at that weight for the Dutch since 2015.

Akeo’s graduation presents an opportunity for several wrestlers to step in. Rheiner Stahlbaum (sophomore, Johnston) brings the most experience with an 11-7 record last year.

“Every time that weight has opened up, somebody has stepped up to fill it,” Van Kley said. “Rheiner did some good things last year but we also have some freshmen who we are excited about.”

Sam Wolff (junior, Chaska, Minn.) also has two seasons of collegiate wrestling under his belt and provides an additional veteran option.

133/141

Cael Cox (sophomore, Ankeny) and Brock Beck (junior, Grinnell) started most of the 2021-22 season at 133 and 141 pounds, respectively. Those positions may flip in 2022-23 but those two are still strong candidates for starting roles. Beck was 29-7 and Cox was 13-15.

“We’ll see how the year goes to see where they fit best in the lineup,” Van Kley said. “They both have an opportunity for special seasons.”

Anthony Bestell (sophomore, Newton), Leo Blawou (junior, Des Moines, Lincoln HS), Jackson Bresson (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS), Julian Rodriguez (senior, Escondido, Calif.) and Colin Suyko (junior, Cary, Ill., Cary-Grove HS) bring experience in reserve roles and will compete at tournaments.

149

A two-time national qualifier at 149 pounds, Rob Areyano (fifth year, Selma, Calif.) is using his extra year of eligibility from COVID to return for a fifth and final season. He’s won 79 career matches and is vying to earn his second All-American honor on the mat after being named a second team All-American following the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Division III Championships.

“We’re excited to have Rob back using his fifth year,” Van Kley said. “He was a late takedown away from being an All-American last year and that has been motivating him since March.”

Duncan Delzell (junior, Burlington) was fourth on the team last year with 23 wins against 10 losses. He was the Millikin Open champion and had four other top-five tournament finishes.

“Duncan is definitely going to have his opportunities to wrestle this year,” Van Kley said.

Jordan Bendorf (senior, San Diego, Calif., Bonita Vista HS) hasn’t wrestled a match since 2019-20 because of injuries but is ready to go this year. Garrett Heater (junior, Grinnell) was 4-11 in his first full season.

157

Luke Condy (senior, Memphis, Tenn., Christian Brothers HS) is a returning starter at 157 pounds after going 16-15 last season. He won 10 of his matches by decision.

“Luke has really cemented himself at that spot,” Van Kley said. “He’s wrestled some big matches and we’re excited to see what he can do this year.”

Ryne Mohrfeld (senior, Lisbon) has 18 career victories and provides depth at 157 alongside Spencer Daves (junior, Urbandale).

165

There are several candidates for action at 165 pounds according to Van Kley. Colby Tool (sophomore, Reasnor, PCM HS) was 19-18 and wrestled at the regional meet. Jason Hermann (sophomore, Stockton, Ill.) missed the whole season with an injury but had a stellar high school career. Injuries also put Levi Condy (senior, Memphis, Tenn., Christian Brothers) out of commission last season but he won 14 matches as a freshman.

“This weight is wide open,” Van Kley said. “Colby wrestled some big matches for us. Jason was a three-time place-winner in high school. And Levi has been good when healthy.”

Gavin Davis (senior, Phoenix, Ariz., Arizona Lutheran Academy), Zach Jeanneret (junior, Overbrook, Kan., Santa Fe Trail HS) and Landon Kirby (sophomore, Grinnell) are also in contention.

174

Sophomore Austin Roos (Atkins, Benton HS) won 15 matches at 184 pounds as a freshman but is dropping down a weight class and has impressed the coaching staff so far.

“Austin has transformed his body the right way,” Van Kley said. “He’s gaining a lot of confidence and has looked good at that weight.”

Christian Wilson (senior, Houston, Texas, Cypress Ridge HS) was a starter his freshman season at 165 pounds and could figure into the equation at 174 this year with his 18 career victories.

184

Peyton Hammerich (senior, Princeton, Ill.) had a breakout junior season, winning the Millikin Open in November and winning 17 matches. He took fourth at the regional meet, coming up one win short of trip to the national meet.

“He’s had a fantastic summer of training,” Van Kley said. “He was wrestling as well as anyone on our team at the end of last season.”

197

Gage Linahon (junior, Newton) piled up 26 wins on his way to the 2022 national meet. Linahon had a frustrating 0-2 record in his first appearance and is hungry to rectify that result from last March.

“I think Gage has a bitter taste in his mouth after his first trip to nationals,” Van Kley said. “He knows he can compete at that level and is eager to prove it.”

Stevie Maddox, Jr. (senior, Tempe, Ariz.) is set to join the team after the football season is over and will join Brodie Toth (sophomore, Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) in key reserve roles behind Linahon.

285

No one on the Dutch roster has wrestled collegiately at the heaviest weight class but Miles Berg (junior, Indianola) is 11-14 for his career at 197 pounds. He won the Last Chance Invitational a year ago and has bulked up to tackle a new weight class.

“Miles worked really hard in the weight room to get ready for this,” Van Kley said.

Berg will battle a pair of freshmen, Michael Esquivel, Jr., (Aurora, Ill, Yorkville Christian HS) and Hayden Hearne (Urbandale) for dual matches and all three will wrestle at tournaments to further clarify the top spot.

“Michael and Hayden are both true heavyweights,” Van Kley said. “They are bigger guys who can move well.”

Coaching staff

Entering his 16th season at Central, Van Kley has seven assistant coaches on the staff. Daniel Page and Duncan Lee both earned All-American honors during Van Kley’s tenure. Matt Diehl was an All-American in 1987 and spent seven years as the head coach. Brad Steele was national qualifier in NCAA Division I for the University of Wyoming. Brody Beck was also a Division I wrestler at the University of Northern Iowa.

“We’re blessed with a really great coaching staff,” Van Kley said. “They all sacrifice a lot of time to work with the team in the room. They bring such a wealth of experience and knowledge and it’s such an important part of our program.”

New to the staff this year are 2022 Central graduate Samuel Zook and Dane Jones, a former William Penn University wrestler. Zook was an all-conference performer at 285 pounds in 2021-22 and won 64 career matches.

“It means a lot when an athlete has such a great experience that they want to help the next generation have a great experience,” Van Kley said. “He wrestled a lot of big matches and will help our 285-pounders a lot.

The season

Central opens the season on November 5 at the Pointer Open in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the first of seven regular season tournaments on the schedule. The Dutch will host the Under Armour Invitational on January 7 and the Last Chance Invitational on February 10.

Central also has 12 duals on its schedule. In addition to its eight conference matches, Central hosts Augustana College (Ill.) on December 1 and William Penn University on February 7. Central is hosting a five-team dual tournament the night before the Under Armour Invitational on Friday, January 6, wrestling Albion College (Mich.) at 3:45 p.m. and Muhlenberg College (Pa.) at 5:30 p.m.

“We need those open tournaments early in the season to give everybody a chance to show what they can do,” Van Kley said. “Our conference duals are always going to be tough so we’ll be ready to go for those. Our team is ready to get started.”