After finishing her high school career claiming several school records, one of the most accomplished distance runners, — if not the most, at Pella High School is continuing her athletic pursuits for Central College.

Caroline McMartin intends to run with the Dutch Cross Country and Track and Field programs when academics and athletics hopefully resume this fall.

McMartin says the decision didn’t come easy, but ultimately, Central College was the right choice for her.

“I love running, and that will never change, and I’ll always run,” she says. “I felt like especially after cross country [this past fall], I maybe didn’t get all the goals I wanted to, but I know I can still get better and I’m excited to keep improving my skills and I think Coach Dunham can really help me with that, and I trust him with all of my training,” McMartin says. “Especially now, with this coronavirus and not being able to have a track season–it’ll be good to at least know I have four more years to keep competing and that I’m not done yet.”

Caroline owns the fastest 5K in Pella girls cross country history at 19:13.8 and the fastest 3000 meters on the track at 10:39.62, as well as the anchor leg of the fastest 4×800 relay. McMartin is a four-time state cross country qualifier–including All-State honors in 2017.

She is a multiple time qualifier for the state track and field meet as well — 2019 included a 3rd place 3000-meter run and 9th place 800 meter run, as well as appearances in the 3rd 4×400 relay and distance medley relay. McMartin competed on the 5th place 4×800 Relay, 6th place Distance Medley Relay, and in the 800 meter race, as well as the second leg of the 4×400 relay that took 3rd and ultimately clinched Pella a Class 3A state championship on the track in 2018.

Hear more from McMartin during tonight’s Central College Radio Coaches Corner at 7 p.m. and Wednesday’s Radio Sports Page at 6 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS.