Strode signs with in-state Northwestern

Nodaway Valley senior Ty Strode has one more go-round as a key member of this year’s highly anticipated Wolverines wrestling team. But before beginning his final high school season, he signed Nov. 14 to wrestle at the next level, choosing Northwestern College in Orange City.

“This feels great. I’m very excited for what the future holds,” Strode said. “I definitely wanted to get this done before my senior season so I didn’t have to worry about it during wrestling season. I’m very excited with my decision.”

The Red Raiders, who have a strong history in the NAIA, earned their best national finish in 1997, placing eighth. They have produced four All-Americans under current head coach Rik Dahl.

Strode narrowed his choice to Northwestern, Central College in Pella and York University in Nebraska.

“One thing that stands out to me about Northwestern — and kind of why I picked it — is that they obviously have a beautiful campus. I love the wrestling team and I feel like I fit in very well. Coach Dahl’s got good stuff going on up there,” Strode said.

Several wrestlers from Atlantic who currently compete for Northwestern also encouraged him to join the program.

“Northwestern’s a beautiful campus and is very faith-based, and you can feel God on the campus, so it’s a good place,” he said.

Strode is coming off a nearly 40-win junior season in which he went 2-2 at the state tournament and won the Pride of Iowa Conference title. He reached five tournament finals last season, recording 19 falls, one major decision and one decision, and led the team with 12 technical falls.

His 98 takedowns were second-most on the team behind classmate Ashton Honnold. He also tied Caleb Christensen for the team lead with 18 four-point nearfalls.

Strode transferred to Nodaway Valley from Tekamah-Herman (Nebraska) before his sophomore year.

“Iowa wrestling’s another level. I feel like the competition is tougher all around here,” he said. “It’s helped me, and I’m glad I’m in Iowa now. It’s helped me become a better wrestler and probably helped me get to this point. There are a lot of good people I’ve met along the way as well. I’m probably most proud of all the work I’ve put in and the people who have helped me do it. I feel like I’m in a good spot going into my senior season.”

To prepare for the upcoming season, Strode has trained several times a week with NV assistant Paul Honnold, attended sessions at Moen Wrestling Academy and worked with a mindset coach to sharpen his mental approach.

Strode is undecided on his field of study at Northwestern.