It’s been two years since high school athletes competed outdoors in the spring in Iowa, and on Thursday, the Pella boys track and field team is finally back to the oval to begin what could be a special 2021 season.

The Dutch join a loaded field of large school competition at the Waukee Early Bird meet, including conference foes DCG and Norwalk, as well as large metro schools Ankeny, Dowling, Hoover, and Urbandale, as well as the host school.

Head Coach Brent Van Hauen says the meet will be an early strong test, especially with the compressed practice schedule under new guidelines from the IHSAA for a shortened indoor preseason.

Running, jumping, and throwing begins at 4 p.m. for the Pella boys at Waukee High School.