The Knoxville Cross Country squads will have had some time off since the Early Bird meet last Monday to this Saturday’s Pella Invitational at Central College. Coach Michael Splavec tells KNIA/KRLS Sports he was happy with the way both boys and girl’s teams ran last week, and he says the Central College course has some similarities to the Panthers home course at Pine Knolls Country Club. He tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the focus in practice has been the mental side of running and hill work. Splavec says the Panthers will see some of the better teams from around Iowa on Saturday. He adds his runners will have to focus on lowering their times and still competing at a high level.