Several local cross country teams compete for just the first or second time this season today during the high school portion of the Central Dutch Invitational. The prep competition is hosted by Pella High and will also include girls and boys cross country teams from Knoxville, Pella Christian and PCM in the 19-school field.

“I love running the Central College course because it’s kind of our home meet, and we usually bring a big crowd there,” says Pella High senior Michael Schemm. “It’s super-encouraging for all the runners to see all the fans there that support them.”

Pella Christian cross country coach Jocelyn Meinders says the meet is a good way for her runners to open the season.

“It gives them a good first race. It’s a tough course – which is great – but they know it [and] they practice on it,” said Meinders. “It’s nice in that way that they know what they’re doing; they know what to expect; they know where to pace themselves and what to do on certain parts of the course. It’s just a starting point for them.”

The high school portion of the Central Dutch Invitational begins at 11:00 a.m. on the course at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex on the Central College campus in Pella.

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