It’s not a secret at this rate — Class 3A track and field among high school boys has largely belonged to the green and white of Pella High School for some time. After winning the school’s fourth state championship in the past decade and their second in the past three seasons (with a runner-up in between), there’s little doubt the Dutch could be some form of contender again entering 2024.

But dynasties don’t last forever, either. While a strong push from a few other schools and a less-than-ideal meet for Pella still didn’t keep the Dutch from claiming last May’s top prize, a large graduating class and a rebuild in many areas on the track and in the field will make climbing that mountain this year a bigger — but not impossible, challenge. If the Dutch are going to grab a third title or fourth trophy since 2021, they’ll need to lean heavily on a few key returning events and athletes, but the math could certainly work if the team could find some additional breakout talent and take advantage of a tough schedule to push themselves to a strong May performance.

Pella Head Coach Brent Van Hauen says they will lean on a trio of elite athletes — Drake Relays qualifying thrower Hanson King, defending 3A cross country champion Canaan Dunham, and Blue Standard breaker Nathan Vander Waal, to push them back toward the top of Class 3A.

The Dutch start the season tonight at Waukee.