The reigning Class 3A state track and field champions reside in Pella, and while the journey to repeat won’t be easy, the Lady Dutch are hoping to once again make noise as one of the state’s elite programs.

Head Coach Dak Rasmussen says the athletes responsible for a majority of the points they scored on their way to a state title last spring are already making an impact at the college level this spring — and he says the biggest key is developing the next generation of athletes.

Pella will have strength in key areas, as state qualifying hurdlers and 400 meter sprinters Emily Holterhaus and Elsie Thoreson, a pack of distance runners led by Caroline McMartin, a young group of sprinters paced by Metje Miller, and throwers led by state qualifiers Alex Hackett and Elly Cairney seek to defend their 3A title.

Rasmussen says the 3A field is once again likely Davenport Assumption’s to lose as they reload this Spring — Pella’s championship last year snapped a five-year winning streak for the Knights. Schools like Wahlert, Heelan, and Decorah look to be contenders again as well, according to Dak. Pella is next in action Monday at the Iowa State University Indoor Invitational.