Lopez named Wrestler of the Year

NEW LONDON — The New London wrestling program already had a four-time state champion in senior 126-pounder Marcel Lopez. Now they have a Wrestler of the Year.

Lopez was announced as the 2022 Dan Gable Wrestler of the Year for Class 1A last week. The award, presented by IAwrestle and Fareway Stores, Inc., is given to one wrestler in each class.

Lopez was a Class 1A finalist last year but wasn’t given the award. This year, he beat out Chet Buss of North Butler-Clarksville and Gable Porter of Underwood, to earn the honor.

The honor came one less than one week after Lopez’ state title. He rolled through the 126-pound field, earning a pin in the first round, a technical fall in the quarterfinals and decisions in the semifinals and final.

Lopez’ championship-clinching match came against Jace Rose of Oakland, Riverside, a match he won on a 5-3 decision.

After high school, Lopez will be joining the NCAA Division 1 ranks as a member of the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville wrestling team.

In Class 2A, West Delaware’s Wyatt Voelker, a 2022 state champion and future Northern Iowa Panther was given the honor. Ben Kueter of Iowa City High, another state champion and University of Iowa football and wrestling commit, was given the award in Class 3A.

Ella Schmit of Bettendorf was given the Dan Gable Ms Wrestler of the Year Award. Schmit is a three-time champion on the girls’ side.

Ms. Wrestler:

Ella Schmit — Bettendorf

Eva Diaz — Waverly-Shell Rock (finalist)

Alexis Ross — Fort Dodge (finalist)

Mr. Wrestler:

Class 1A:

Marcel Lopez — New London

Chet Buss — North Butler-Clarksville (finalist)

Gable Porter — Underwood (finalist)

Class 2A:

Wyatt Voelker — West Delaware

Carter Fousek — Cresco Crestwood (finalist)

Camron Phetxoumphone — Webster City (finalist)

Class 3A:

Ben Kueter — Iowa City, City High

Nate Jesuroga — Southeast Polk (finalist)

Aiden Riggins — Waverly-Shell Rock (finalist)