Just under a week into the outdoor season for the Pella girls track and field team, a sophomore has already established her name as the best distance runner in the program’s rich history over her nearly two years of competition in the fall and spring.

It still feels as if even more is yet to come for Marissa Ferebee, the reigning Class 3A individual cross country champion, as she has already broken the Blue Standard Drake Relays qualifying marks on the track in both the 1500 and 3000 meter races. Ferebee finds herself in 3rd and 2nd respectively on Bound in terms of season best times regardless of class, and has broken the school records in both events — including her own now twice in the longest event on the oval.

If the Dutch are going to have a chance to upend the likes of Solon and ADM in mid-May in the 3A team state competition, Ferebee will be the biggest key — it’s pressure she’s trying to embrace with confidence, but also, something she’s trying to avoid thinking to far ahead about. Marissa says she’s finding happiness in the day-to-day and trying to lift her teammates with her to new heights.

Click here to listen to a full interview with Ferebee.

“So often, we find ourselves focusing on ‘oh, we’re so excited for this to come up,’ but instead, we’re trying to enjoy the now and we’re kind of enjoying it all together.”

Pella returns to action today in Oskaloosa. Other Pella Dutch squads competing this evening:
Pella Boys Golf Hosting a Home Invitational – Noon
Pella Girls Golf at Newton – 3:30 pm
Pella Girls Tennis vs. Indianola – 4:15 p.m.
Pella Boys Tennis at Indianola – 4:15 p.m.
Pella Boys Track and Field at SE Polk – 4:15 p.m.
Pella Boys and Girls Track and Field at Oskaloosa – 4:15 p.m.
Pella Girls Soccer vs. Bondurant-Farrar – 7:15 p.m.