In what has long been a showcase of the depth of the Pella boys and girls track and field teams, the district meet will likely be a continuation of a tradition of excellence in the state qualifier today at their home venue.

The Dutch are poised to qualify at least a dozen entries to next week’s state meet at Drake Stadium on both the boys and girls teams. Here are some of the events to watch in which Pella has potential qualifiers in the top three — the top two from each race automatically earn a trip to the finals, while eight at large events advance based on times or distances compared across the state (please note athletes can compete in a maximum of four events, and may not end up qualifying in the races below):

Pella Boys State Qualifying Contenders (place on Bound rankings as of 6 a.m., Thursday, with season best time posted):
100 Meters – CJ Shetterly (1st – 10.84), Quinn Gruver (3rd – 11.1)
200 Meters- CJ Shetterly (2nd – 22.31)
800 Meters – Chase Lauman (1st – 1:53.83 – best in 3A), Canaan Dunham (3rd – 2:01.17)
1600 Meters – Chase Lauman (1st – 4:09.74 – best in Iowa), Nathan Vander Waal (3rd – 4:26.88)
3200 Meters – Chase Lauman (1st – 9:06.71 – best in 3A), Canaan Dunham (2nd – 9:32.68)
110 Hurdles – Luke Fairchild (3rd – 15.42)
400 Hurdles – Trey Van Hauen (3rd – 57.36)
Long Jump – CJ Shetterly (1st – 22-5)
Shot Put – Brandon Fischer (1st – 55-11.5), Hanson King (2nd – 55-05)
Discus – Brandon Fischer (1st – 199-09), Hanson King (2nd – 187-09)
4×100 Relay – (1st – 42.93)
4×200 Relay – (1st – 1:29.39)
4×400 Relay – (2nd – 3:28.79)
4×800 Relay – (1st – 8:05.48)
Sprint Medley – (1st – 1:34.84)
Distance Medley – (1st – 3:30.23)
Shuttle Hurdle – (1st – 1:01.8)

Pella Girls State Qualifying Contenders:
100 Meters – Delanie Reynolds (1st – 12.7), Kamryn Long (3rd – 12.88)
200 Meters – Jacie Trine (1st – 26.02), Delanie Reynolds (2nd – 26.47)
400 Meters – Jacie Trine (1st – 59.07)
800 Meters – Abby Teagarden (1st – 2:25.32), Marissa Ferebee (2nd – 2:25.32)
1500 Meters – Marissa Ferebee (1st – 4:52.52)
3000 Meters – Marissa Ferebee (1st – 10:18.08), Tess Paulsen (2nd – 11:10.83)
4×100 Relay – (1st – 50.61)
4×200 Relay – (1st – 1:45.59)
4×400 Relay – (2nd – 4:10.63)
4×800 Relay – (1st – 9:52.82)
Sprint Medley – (1st – 1:50.49)
Distance Medley – (1st – 4:24.04)
Shuttle Hurdle – (3rd – 1:15.2)

The 2023 state qualifying meet at Pella High School begins at 4:00 with field events and 4:30 with running events. Tickets can be purchased here.