Warriors sign Knoop, add depth to upper weights

By Matt Oliver

DES MOINES – Dallas Knoop will help strengthen the lineup of the Waldorf University men’s wrestling team in the coming years.

Knoop, a 220-pound senior at Des Moines East High School, signed a letter of intent with the Warriors last Thursday.

“I’m excited to have Dallas join the Waldorf program,” Waldorf coach Brad Stockton said. “He comes from a program with great history and hard work. He brings depth and a unique style to our upper weights.”

A two-year varsity letter winner for the Scarlets, Knoop earned all-conference honors from the Central Iowa Metro League (CIML) as a senior. In addition to achieving success on the wrestling mat, he was also an all-state rugby player during his high school athletic career.

Knoop is the son of Toby Knoop and Heather Pomerenk. He will pursue studies in secondary education at Waldorf and said he chose to attend the university due to its size.

“I chose Waldorf because I knew I wanted to go to a smaller school and when I went up for a visit, it just clicked,” Knoop said.

Ready to step onto the mat for the Warriors, Knoop is prepared to make the most of his chance to compete at the next level.

“It means that I have accomplished my dream,” Knoop said. “Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to play a sport at the collegiate level and now, I have the opportunity to do so.”