Some of the All-Time greats in the storied Pella boys and girls track and field programs had their final season cut short — but their legacies will remain for years to come as the teams forge ahead into the future.

Caroline McMartin will likely go down as one of — if not the best, girls’ distance runners in the history of the track and field and cross country programs — as the senior owns the school records for fastest 3000 meter run on the track and 5K in cross country.

Nobody has seen what the impact McMartin will have for years to come more than Assistant Track Coach and Head Cross Country Doug Cutler, who says Caroline was the ultimate teammate and role model for all athletes she interacted with during her four years at Pella High School.

“The legacy has been established, and Caroline will go down as one of the greatest runners we’ve ever had–nothing can take that away,” Cutler says. “I’m going to miss the joy that we were going to have and the fun we were going to have this year as she did more, but it was a fantastic career.”

Mason Huerter lost out on his opportunity to push himself beyond early season marks he tossed last spring that vaulted him to 3rd place all-time in Pella’s strong shot put tradition. Huerter says it hurts to lose the chance to improve on last season and to help the boys team contend for a state title, but he’s trying to take the loss of the season in stride.

“I was extremely disappointed because although I made it to Drake and state last year, I did not throw my best like I had earlier in the season, so I was wanting some redemption and had some goals for myself,” he says. “I always looked at the bright side and I just said, ‘it wasn’t meant to be, we’re all supposed to be safe,’ and that’s the goal at the end of the day.”

Stay tuned to 92.1 KRLS over the next several weeks to hear the stories of Pella spring sports athletes.