Pressure is a privilege to Starmont’s top-ranked wrestler Keaton Moeller

Keaton Moeller considers pressure a privilege and that he’s blessed to be stressed.

The Starmont sophomore appreciates the ability to compete and possess lofty expectations. Consider it a mix of humility with high standards.

“I just make the most of every opportunity presented because it can all be gone in an instant, whether that be injury or accident,” Moeller said. “Just keeping the mindset of being blessed to be able to walk, blessed to wrestle for those who can’t and in (former Virginia Tech softball player and wrestling photographer) Allyson Schwab’s words it’s ‘blessed stress.’ Just the opportunity to experience everything that comes with wrestling.”

Moeller placed third at the Class 1A state tournament last season and will take his first step toward a better finish this season when all three classes compete in district tournaments Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. Starmont travels to Monona for a district hosted by MFL MarMac.

Moeller is 39-1 with 22 pins and is ranked No. 1 at 150 pounds. He enters the postseason with 26 straight victories.

“I am feeling stronger than ever,” said Moeller, whose lone loss came to Osage’s 2A top-ranked 144-pounder Anders Kittelson. “Just peaking at the right time come postseason.”

Starmont Coach Jake Munger noted Moeller doesn’t take things for granted. He has witnessed Moeller’s work ethic and dedication to go along with his skills and athleticism.

“Keaton is a very goal-oriented wrestler,” Munger said. “He sets goals often and works toward achieving them. He’s blessed with many wrestling qualities — strength, quickness and explosiveness.”

Some wrestlers would be content with bronze, but not Moeller. He dedicated his offseason to wrestling, traveling to the Northern Plains regional the day after district track and placing eighth in Greco-Roman.

Moeller said he has two to three practices a week with Immortal Athletics wrestling club in addition to high school practice. He also has regular weight training and added running workouts Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

All to boost his odds to wrestle for a state championship.

“I knew I had to do something to improve where I finished last year,” Moeller said. “Obviously, it’s not where I wanted to be. I started by sacrificing playing baseball last summer to try to enhance my skills through freestyle and Greco.”

Moeller is more poised and mature than most sophomores. Munger said Moeller benefited from wrestling big tournaments as a youth, leading to a calm and cool demeanor during intense situations.

Moeller competes in track and he ranked among the leading tacklers and receivers in football, helping the Stars to an 8-2 record. Wrestling ranks No. 1.

“He truly loves the sport of wrestling and all that it entails to be successful,” Munger said. “He loves the process.”

Wrestling’s physical aspect is one of the factors that attracted Moeller when he was younger, attending youth tournaments with his parents. No wonder he incorporates strong conditioning to break opponents. Moeller tries to maintain the same energy in the final minute than he had in the first.

“I think conditioning alone can win matches,” Moeller said. “Take them to the third period and get them tired out. Then, it’s just like wrestling any other kid. His feet get heavy, his hands are lacking. Just continuing to get on my offense and still having the same energy I had in the first period. Stay fired up and ready to go.”

Munger said Moeller is better in maintaining good fundamental position, while applying constant pressure to foes the entire match and building leads.

“That’s key down the stretch,” Munger said. “He’s pushed himself in morning running workouts to where there’s no need to think about running out of gas. Keep the gas pedal to the floor.”

His vision is a state title but his sights are focused solely on his first match Saturday. He plans to enjoy every stair of the climb to his goal.

“I’m just making the most of every chance I get,” Moeller said. “Obviously, I have one goal in mind and that’s known to a lot of people. I’m going to have fun with it. If you’re not having fun with it then you’re already going out with a bad mindset.”

Gazette area Iowa high school boys’ wrestling districts

Saturday

(All districts begin at 10 a.m.)

CLASS 3A

At Cedar Rapids

Ankeny Centennial, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Cedar Rapids Washington, Iowa City Liberty, Iowa City West, Newton

At Ames

Ames, Bondurant-Farrar, Cedar Falls, Denison-Schleswig, Linn-Mar, Marion, Sioux City East, West Des Moines Dowling

At Marshalltown

Boone, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Marshalltown, Mason City, Pella, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, Waterloo East, Waterloo West

At Bettendorf

Bettendorf, Burlington, Clear Creek Amana, Davenport Central, Davenport West, Fort Madison, Iowa City High, Muscatine

At Dubuque Hempstead

Clinton, Davenport North, Dubuque Hempstead, Dubuque Senior, North Scott, Pleasant Valley, Waverly-Shell Rock, Western Dubuque

CLASS 2A

At Independence

BCLUW-SH, Clarion CGD, Decorah, East Marshall-GMG, Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Independence, Oelwein, Union Community

At Solon

Camanche, Central DeWitt, Columbus Community, Mid-Prairie, Mount Vernon, Solon, Tipton, West Liberty

At Manchester

Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana, Dubuque Wahlert, Maquoketa, Monticello, New Hampton/Turkey Valley, Northeast, West Delaware

At Williamsburg

Anamosa, Davis County, Eddyville EBF, Grinnell, South Tama, Vinton-Shellsburg, Washington (Iowa), Williamsburg

CLASS 1A

At Monona

Bellevue, Cascade, Clayton Ridge, East Buchanan, Elkader Central, Jesup, MFL MarMac, Postville, Starmont, Sumner-Fredericksburg

At Wilton

Durant, Highland, Lisbon, Louisa-Muscatine, Maquoketa Valley, Midland, New London, North Cedar, WACO, Wapello, Wilton

At Jewell

Ackley AGWSR, Alburnett, Belle Plaine, Earlham, HLV, Iowa Valley, North Burler/Clarksville, North Tama, South Hamilton, Waterloo Columbus

At Pleasantville

Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, English Valleys, Iowa City Regina, Lone Tree, North Mahaska, Pekin, Pleasantville, Sigourney-Keota, Van Buren, West Branch

At Denver

Denver, Don Bosco, Dyersville Beckman, Edgewood-Colesburg, Hudson, North Linn, South Winneshiek, Springville, Tripoli, Wapsie Valley

At Truro

BGM, Cardinal, East Union, Interstate 35, Lynnville-Sully, Martensdale-St. Marys, Montezuma, Moravia, Nodaway Valley, Southeast Warren-MD-LC, Wayne

Note: Top three district finishers at each weight advance to the state tournament Feb. 14-17 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com