Hard to even think that after all of the events are said and done this evening across the state, several track and field teams will see their seasons come to an end. For Pella High’s boys’ and girls’ squads, tonight may be just a formality in getting events qualified for Drake Stadium next week for the 2015 State Track and Field meet.
Pella will be hosting the Class 3A District 8 state qualifying meet, which features Oskaloosa, Knoxville, Grinnell, and Williamsburg, to name a few area schools. Tanner Dunkin for the Panthers features the top time of the teams in attendance in the 100, 200, and 400.
Payson VandeLune is tops in the 800, but all schools will need to be wary of Oskaloosa’s Spencer and Skylar DeJong, who have the top 1600 and 3200 times this year. The Raiders’ boys sit atop the pole in the 4 x 100, 200, and 400 meter relays. Coach Brent Van Hauen says his team has been focused on recooperating after a couple of busy weeks.
Nathan Winters and Garret Jansen will shine the spotlight on the field throwing events, as they each put on a show at Pella’s home meet on Monday, with each breaking school records.
It’ll be a game of “Catch Pella” on the girls’ side; the Lady Dutch feature the top time/performance in 11 of the 19 events, with many others a close second or in the top three. Coach Dak Rasmussen is hoping to need an extra long bus to get all of his state qualifiers to Des Moines next week.
First and second place in each event automatically qualify for the state meet next week, with other “at-large” bids to be determined tomorrow based on total results from all state qualifying meets. Today’s state qualifier will begin at 4:00 p.m.