The cross country teams from Pella Christian High School are ready to put their best effort on the course today in their Class 2A District & Regional Meet.

While it’s certainly been a challenge to face larger school competition throughout much of the season, head coach Jocelyn Meinders says it’s been beneficial for her athletes to compete against those runners. She says while she still wants each team to do well as a whole, she’s having her athletes focus on the individual aspects of the race.

“Basically, I just told them to go out there and have a time goal; have a place goal, and see where you want to go. As a team, this year, we just won’t be able to compete very well against the teams we’re running against,” says Meinders.

“Next year, we will definitely be competitive, but this year since we’re so young and inexperienced, our team goals aren’t as high this year. We’re definitely pushing the individual goals for today.”

Pella Christian is competing in the meet hosted by Gilbert, which is being held on the Iowa State University course in Ames, and will also include the Pleasantville girls and both squads from PCM.