A longtime assistant coach with the Pella cross country and track programs has been recognized for her efforts. Kari Pingel was named Iowa Track and Field Coaches Association Girls Assistant Coach of the Year. Pingel joined the cross country team as an assistant in 2012. Her four children all graduated from Pella High School — Wade, Jordan, Kiki, and Annika, who all participated in the Dutch track and field teams, and all but Kiki competed on state cross country teams during their time at Pella High School. Kiki is a junior in college and a multi-events competitor for Central College track and field, while the sophomore Annika competes as a sprinter in the spring and distance runner in the fall for the Doane Track and Cross Country programs. Their older brothers Wade and Jordan both ran for the UNI Track and Cross Country teams.