There’s no doubt October 29th, 2022, was a day of triumph for a long-contending powerhouse program as Pella finally broke the ceiling to win the school’s first ever girls team championship. But it also had the feeling it could be the start of a dynasty.
Excitement is abuzz as the Dutch girls cross country team comes off a remarkable run of wins to end last fall, especially as all varsity members return. That, along with two incoming freshmen who can contend for varsity spots and a wealth of athletes who just missed the main roster, makes the Dutch a heavy favorite to repeat. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the main contenders from the Class 3A field all lost significant contributors to graduation.
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That being said — nothing is a given, and Pella will have to stay healthy while maintaining or even improving on their speed, and handle the pressure that comes with being a known commodity — the girls didn’t factor into too many preseason predictions at the top last fall, but will be considered likely unanimous choices by the “experts” to claim 1st place this year. All teams at every meet will be gunning for the green and white, but let’s call a spade a spade — the Dutch have a ton of veteran runners and speedy newcomers that will make them extremely hard to beat in Class 3A and beyond.
The 2022 championship team included Marissa Ferebee, Autumn Blink, Raegan Snieder, Lizzie Neumann, Macy Schroeder, Sophia Boonstra, and Jacie Trine — and all are back this fall.
Pella opens the season on August 26th at Cedar Rapids Prairie.