While smaller teams for the Pella Christian Cross Country may have hampered depth and the ability to compete against bigger teams, Head Coach Jocelyn Meinders remains optimistic about the success they can have this season.

Meinders tells KNIA/KRLS Sports that expectations among the group of athletes they have is high, because she says there are a lot of gifted runners for both the boys and girls this fall.

She says health will be the biggest factor in how competitive the team remains over the course of the six week season.

Pella Christian Cross Country athletes begin their season on Saturday, September 1st at the Central College Invitational.