Christian Jelle of Grand Rapids has established himself as a prominent figure in the wrestling world, marked by multiple state championships and national recognition. His dedication and skill have made him a standout athlete, drawing the attention of college recruiters and wrestling fans alike.
Jelle, a senior at Grand Rapids High School, recently committed to the University of Oklahoma. Embracing the grind that is wrestling, Christian Jelle said he had been coming to Scoring Edge Wrestling Center since about the third grade.
MSHSL State Wrestling Championships
At the MSHSL state wrestling championships in St., Christian Jelle added a second state championship to an already illustrious career on Saturday. Jelle made his mark immediately in the championship match, scoring a pair of three-point takedowns in the first period.
He’d add a third takedown in the second period to achieve more than enough margin to become the first multiple state champion from Grand Rapids since Quincy Osborn in 2001 and 2002 and the third in school history (Joel Goeden, 1995-96)
Having already notched two wins on Friday from technical falls, Jelle added a third in the semifinals, 24-8 against Kaleb Mead of Watertown-Mayer/Mayer Lutheran.
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Boys National High School Recruiting Showcase
DES MOINES, Iowa - Minnesota state champion Christian Jelle of the Scoring Edge Wrestling Center, the champion at 138 pounds, was named Outstanding Wrestler after an exciting championship finals at the 2024 Boys National High School Recruiting Showcase in Hyvee Hall at the Iowa Events Center on Saturday. This is an elite competition in which all of the entries met specific performance requirements in order to qualify.
Jelle scored multiple takedowns in the match, pouring on the offense in the third period, for the impressive win. Jelle, a 2024 Minnesota AA champion from Grand Rapids High School, scored an impressive 18-5 major decision over Cody Trevino of the Big Game WC in the finals. Trevino was third in the 2024 Iowa 3A State Championships for Bettendorf High School.
This is an event which attracts the interest of college recruiters and wrestling fans. The boys competed in folkstyle, which is the style they will wrestle in college.
Christian Jelle, 2024 National HS Recruiting Showcase champion at 138 pounds
Additional Highlights from the Showcase
The finals featured 10 state champions, along with a number of state runners-up and bronze medalists. USA Wrestling traditionally tracks all of the high school state champions who are entered in the National Recruiting Showcase events, and there were 64 state champions who pre-registered to compete.
Here's a look at some other notable matches:
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- 106 pounds: Samuel Sanchez (Esperanza High School in California) defeated Michael Rundell (The Wrestling Academy) with an 11-1 major decision.
- 120 pounds: Lander Bosh (Sanderson Wrestling Academy) edged Mikey Ruiz (Panhandle RTC), 4-2.
- 126 pounds: Demetrios Carrera (Team Elite Wrestling) beat Michael Esteban, 4-2.
- 132 pounds: Jace Hedeman (Immortal Athletics WC) dominated Aaron Silva of California with a 13-2 major decision.
- 144 pounds: William Anderson (Ironclad WC) scored a tight 1-0 victory over Charles Vanier (Super D Wrestling).
- 150 pounds: Carson Weber (Izzy Style Wrestling) defeated Billy Greenwood (GRIT Athletics WC), 7-2.
- 157 pounds: Maximus Dhabolt (Sebolt Wrestling Academy) defeated Liam Fox of the Bear Cave WC at 157 pounds.
- 165 pounds: Jarrett Wadsen (Pinnacle WC in Minnesota) secured a 5-2 tiebreaker win over Zachary Montez (Blue Line Training Academy of Illinois).
- 175 pounds: Brody Kelly (Izzy Style Wrestling) defeated Ronald Robinson (Victory Elite Wrestling), 4-1.
- 190 pounds: Jimmy Mastny (Relentless Training Center) defeated Aiden Cooley (Best Trained Wrestling), 4-1 in sudden-death.
- 215 pounds: Ashton Honnold (Moen Wrestling Academy) got an escape then rode out Elijah Schunke (Heartland Wrestling Academy), 3-2.
- 285 pounds: Peter Savarino (Spartan WC of Tennessee) defeated Pennsylvania’s Caleb Tyler (Mason-Dixon Mat Hawgs), 4-0.
Scoring Edge Wrestling Center
Jelle said the coaching and help he received from Matt Dircks over the years has kept him coming back to the club. Matt Dircks said over the years the club has experienced periods of high attendance and slower times, both of which are beneficial. He said like any business, they get slow around the holidays and most kids and families take a few weeks off after a big tournament, as the work up to that tournament takes a lot out of them.
“I've always just tried to make it a family run deal where it's not about business or money, it's just we're here to wrestle, be friends, be a big family. Honestly, that was always the intent of it,” Matt Dircks said.
Matt Dircks said Gabe Nagel of Little Falls was the first one he trained who was a state champion. Nagel was the 2019 MSHSL State Champion for Little Falls High School.
The goal was to provide them with elite training, helping them become great human beings and teaching them how to survive the game of life, Matt Dircks said. He said he also encourages all the kids who come through his door not to make the same mistake as he did and to go to college, but instead enjoy the little bit of time they have left to be a kid.
During the summer and wrestling season, Scoring Edge Wrestling Center is open two days a week, though they often add another day during the off-season to offer more kids the opportunity to train on their schedule.
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There's also a lock box on the door with a key for those who feel they need a workout, to maybe cut weight or just get a workout in, Matt Dircks said.
Access to the gym is covered under a monthly/yearly membership, though they do have a drop-in rate for those who may just be in the area on vacation or want to train with a specific person. All members are covered by USA Wrestling, as they are a chartered club.