A former Pella tennis coach is being recognized at the state level for her years of leading the Lady Dutch program. Margene Van Horn will be honored as the 2021 recipient of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Tennis Golden Plaque of Distinction. Van Horn will be honored prior to the start of the Class 1A State Singles and Doubles tournament in Waterloo. The Golden Plaque of Distinction Award honors the Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful career while making notable contributions toward school, community and the coaching profession. Van Horn began her coaching career at Albia before landing at Pella, where she coached for 33 years. She was honored as the NFHS Coach of the Year and also the Iowa Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She collected a dual meet record of 221-129. Van Horn and her late husband, Bill — a former Athletic Director at Pella High School, are the parents of four daughters and one son.