Numerous area teams converged at Pella High School on the final night of regular season track and field competition of the spring Monday.
In a night where many regulars were rested or competed on a reduced schedule, it was the Pella girls again claiming the Dutch Invitational crown with 162 team points. The Lady Dutch placed in 1st in seven events, including Kaeleigh DeWaard’s 41’11.75” shot put toss, Annika Pingel in the 200 meter dash (25.78), as well as the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, 4×800 and Sprint Medley Relay.
Pella’s boys also had a solid showing ahead of the district meet, placing 2nd to conference foe Norwalk with a 137 team score. Top place winners included Curtis Ware – 200 meters,
Avery VanZee – 400 meters, Tony Schmitz – 800 meters, Thomas Gauley – 1600 meters, Mason Huerter – Shot Put, Jordan Buma – 110 Hurdles, and Kody Huisman – Discus.
Van Zee tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the entire stepped up last night, with many recording personal records ahead of the time they want to be at their best.
Knoxville’s boys racked up 47 points, while the girls scored 52 points. Abbey Jackson placed 1st in the 400 meters, as did their distance medley relay team.
Pella and Knoxville head to Pella High School for the state-qualifying meet Thursday.
In Class 2A action, PCM felt the impact of a returning Noah Anderson, who missed the Drake Relays and the past several weeks of action. The Mustangs boys put up 109 points, led by Anderson’s win in the 100 dash with a time of 11.25, followed by Preston Van Wyk in 2nd place. They also claimed 1st place in the 4×100, 4×200, and sprint medley relays. Pella Christian finished just behind PCM, a team they will see Thursday in Eddyville, with 99 team points. Kade Vander Molen was 1st place in the long jump, with the Eagles also winning the distance medley by just over one second over the Mustangs. The PCM girls placed in 5th with 79 points, followed by the Eagles girls at 62. Erika Nikkel of Pella Christian was the fastest 100 meter runner for the girls on the evening. Pella Christian and PCM travel to Eddyville for the district meet Thursday.
Click here for full girls results.
Click here for results from the boys competition.