Today would have been the beginning of the 2020 Iowa High School state track and field meet, which had become a common destination for a pair of the greatest Lady Dutch track and field athletes ever to compete in the green and white.

Caroline McMartin and Elsie Thoreson–in a non-pandemic world, would very likely be ready to compete in four events each this weekend, trying to push the Pella girls back to the top in Class 3A, and for themselves, having real chances at competing for individual gold.

In 2019, McMartin placed 3rd in the 3000 meter race, and would have been the fastest returning time in the 3A field, with two all-time great seniors Janette Schraft and Grace Juhl graduating last year. She had eyes on breaking a few more school records and earning top placements at the famous Blue Oval.

Last year, Elsie Thoreson placed fourth in the 400 meter hurdles in 3A — and also had three Class of 2019 graduates place just ahead of her, and would have been the fastest returning placewinner. She would have also been featured heavily in relays for the LDy Dutch.

Both McMartin and Thoreson were members of the 4×400 relays in the 2018 and ‘19 Lady Dutch state meet appearances, and this year, would have likely come together again in the distance medley relay, which if it wasn’t disqualified at the Blue Oval last year, would have come close to nabbing a school record.