As the readers and listeners have found out, it is hard to come up with a top 10 list for Pella High School of moments each year, let alone crack the top five. This year, it’s all championship week for the Dutch, and starts with an individual who has demolished the school record book to become the Distance Queen of Class 3A.

Marissa Ferebee started her sophomore campaign pushing through early season pain to ultimately gain the school’s first ever 3A 5K girls individual championship in Fort Dodge. A healthy winter following that remarkable achievement set the stage for one of the more dominant springs on the oval for any Pella or Class 3A athlete for that matter.

Ferebee went on to place in the top three at the Drake Relays in both the 1500 and 3000 meter races, clearly establishing her as the 3A favorite upon a return trip to Drake Stadium in mid-May. Marissa dominated both of the same races to earn championships in each, and was the key in pushing the Dutch to a 3rd place finish in the 4×800 relay.

Full interview with Marissa from state:

The standout enters her junior season as a heavy favorite to repeat in all three races and to push the Dutch cross country team to a threepeat, while helping the track and field squad leap back into contention in 2025.