When the Pella boys and girls track and field teams hit the oval for the first time outside over the next few weeks, they do so with their sights firmly set on what could be a special month of May.

Boys Coach Brent Van Hauen (How-en) tells KNIA/KRLS Sports with the help of Cross Country Coach and Track Assistant Doug Cutler, the Pella programs have developed a consistent track for athletes to peak when they need to be at their best — during state qualifying and the state meet.

Both Van Hauen and Girls Coach Dak Rasmussen credit that process in their success of the both the track and cross country programs, especially with significant “buy in” from student athletes. All four teams in the fall and spring have over a decade of consistent top five finishes at state, as well as the 2013 and 2016 team championships for the boys track athletes and multiple individual titles over the years.

Pella’s boys track and field athletes kick off the outdoor season at Waukee on Thursday, March 29th, while the Lady Dutch start racing and throwing at the annual Knoxville invitational on March 31st.