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Wetjen continues to make Williamsburg proud
Scores game-winning TD in win over Nittany Lions
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG -- Williamsburg coaches, teachers and friends would be the first to tell you they knew Kaden Wetjen was a special athlete in his high school days.
What the now University of Iowa football senior has done in his time with the Hawkeyes is something that very few would have expected, as he came to Iowa as a walk-on.
“Kaden’s journey has amazed me,” former classmate and close friend Drake Powell said.
“After two really good seasons at Iowa Western, it become hard to not believe he could compete at the highest level. I will be the first to admit I never would've thought at an all-American level for a Big Ten program.”
That is exactly what Wetjen has become, and with every impact play he makes for the Hawkeyes, he continues to make a community just a short drive down Interstate 80 proud.
A quick look on X after a Wetjen highlight shows the story of how passionate so many Williamsburg fans are.
Being so close to Iowa City, many Raider fans are also Hawkeye fans, making game days all the more fun.
“It has been the most exciting three years being a Hawkeye fan and watching your best friend win games for them,“ Powell said. “It’s a dream come true.”
The electrifying returner, who is now getting more involved in the offense, had his most recent impact play in Iowa’s 25-24 win over Penn State Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
Wetjen took an end-around for a eight-yard touchdown run, evading a few Nittany Lion defenders on his way to the end zone for the game-winning score.
“Ever since I've known Kaden he's always made the play,” Powell said. “He's got that unexplainable ‘it’ factor. Every time the ball is in his hand, from Williamsburg to now, you just know there's a chance for him to score.”
That is how many feel as the small-town kid from Williamsburg continues to stamp his legacy.
To make it all the more special is the fact Williamsburg now has three former Raiders on the roster— Wetjen, Derek Weisskopf and Rayce Heitman.
That is a rare occurrence for any town in Iowa, let alone one with a population of under 3,500.
What Wetjen does the rest of this season is yet to be seen, but one thing is for certain, Williamsburg will be watching with excitement for whatever he does next.
