Pella High School’s Jazz I ensemble came up just short to their rivals from Harlan in the 2018 Iowa Jazz Championships Thursday night in Ames, finishing in 2nd place.

Pella and Harlan were the two finalists after 15 ensembles from around the state performed earlier in the day in Class 3A. Annaleigh Babcock received outstanding performer recognition on the trumpet. Pella has won 17 state championships in the 41 years of the event, and have now finished in the top four of the prestigious jazz competition 36 consecutive years, and either Harlan or Pella have been champions since 2015.

North Mahaska jazz won also their second consecutive state championship in Class 1A–their seventh title in the last ten events.