One year after returning to the state cross country meet after a year away, the Pella boys cross country team may be vaulted into contenders for the top prize in Class 3A. Head Coach Doug Cutler says a core of talented young runners returns, led by 2018 District Champion Josiah Wittenberg, who as a freshman, was a Class 3A All-State runner and finished 9th overall, and Cutler Turner, who placed 39th among all individuals. The challenge for Pella to move up in the ranks of 3A will be that every team in the top five at state last season returns the majority of their key athletes — including defending state champion Gilbert, and Clear Creek Amana, Marion, and Carlisle — all who edged Pella in the final standings. The Dutch cross country runners open the season on August 27th at Ankeny Centennial.