The Pella cross country teams are poised to bring home another haul of trophies this Friday as their No. 1 girls and No. 2 boys descend on Fort Dodge.

For the Dutch girls, it’s a day in which they are chasing history. The lowest team score in the 5K era of 26 points for Johnston could be the standard if it’s a really special day, but the green and white will look to best the 45 points scored by Mid-Prairie in 2020 and the current 3A low mark set by Wahlert of 56 set in 2018.

Marissa Ferebee has already run the fastest 5K in Iowa girls history, which she reinforced at the Pella Sport Park last week (16:37.99). But she wants to own the state meet course record — held by 2022 champion Paityn Noe, the first Iowa girl to break 17 minutes. Ferebee will attempt to speed through Lakeside Golf Course in under 16:48.58.

In the boys race, the Dutch are seeking a third consecutive podium finish following their 2022 title and 2023 runner-up. They’ll battle No. 3 Des Moines Christian and a few other schools for that recognition and a trophy to take home to Pella. Gilbert is expected to run away with the 3A boys team championship.

The individual boys race could be one of the better duals at Kennedy Park in recent years, as No. 2 and Defending 3A Champion Canaan Dunham tries to solve Western Dubuque’s Quentin Nauman, who enters Friday’s meet as the No. 1 ranked runner after defeating Dunham at the Prairie meet earlier this fall.

Racing begins for the Dutch cross country teams in Fort Dodge this Friday at 10:30 a.m. with the girls, followed by the boys at 11:15. Tickets can be purchased here.