Photo by Megan Copeland

While 2024 was already brewing to be a special year, the season has already become historic for the defending Class 3A state cross country champion. Marissa Ferebee of Pella ran 16:38 at Iowa State University during the Gilbert Tigers invitational, which is now the fastest ever 5K recorded by an Iowa High School girl — besting Ballard great Paityn Noe and her 16:48 in 2022 at the state meet. The two are the only girls ever to drop below 17 minutes in a fall season. Ferebee is next in action on Saturday, September 21st at the Heartland Classic at Central College.