The secret has long been out — the Pella boys and girls high school track and field teams remain among Iowa’s best each year, racking up an impressive trophy case with several top three team finishes at state in the past decade and multiple individual and relay state champions.

Don’t expect that to change any time soon. According to Pella Middle School Activities Director Scott Tjeerdsma, the buzz has carried over to the future of those programs. This spring, 205 students have come out to participate in 7th and 8th grade track and field — that represents more than half of the entire student body at Pella Middle School.

The program isn’t limited to competition, either — as each spring, members of the 7th and 8th grade teams come to Drake Stadium to volunteer and assist with operations during the annual Iowa High School state meet in May.