Pella opens the high school wrestling season this evening at a tournament. The Little Dutch grapplers are heading down Highway 163 to head to Ottumwa for a five team invitational to kick off a busy week of action. New Pella Head Wrestling Coach Jay Pike says in the practices they’ve had, they’ve had a focus to get ready for a loaded week of competition.

“We’ve been focusing on getting our practices intense enough and pushing our guys early on this season, because I know this first week is going to be tough on them with all of these matches, but it’s something that I just try to teach the kids, to love that stuff and that battle,” Pike says.

Matches begin at 5:30 p.m. at Ottumwa High School. Pella is also in action Thursday at Knoxville and Saturday at the Montezuma wrestling invitational.