The number of athletes out for a given sports season is always important to a coach. Low numbers make coaches work to get the most production out of the fewest athletes, but large numbers can make for challenges too.

Pella High School cross country coach Doug Cutler is dealing with that again this fall, as nearly 120 boys and girls have attended the first practices of the season this week. Cutler says a fair amount of planning has already been put in place to help make sure every athlete gets the guidance they need.

“We’re putting a little more responsibility on the senior captains this year. We’ve met a few times this summer, actually, and kind of outlined what they think they can handle and how they can help us,” says Cutler. He adds that the addition of another coach will also give each runner more individual attention.

“Mike Buchheit is going to be helping us out this year, so we’ve got a third coach, and that helps Coach Hammann and I out a great deal. So no matter what our [final] numbers are this fall, our student-to-coach ratio is going to be improved from last year.”

The season starts on September 3rd, with the Dutch at home to host the Pella Invitational.

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