The Tulip City track and field teams will aim to have plenty of Pella representation at the famous Blue Oval at Drake Stadium at their respective district meets today.

Pella is at home, and will aim to position themselves to send a large group, especially as the boys have spent the entirety of the 2021 season as a favorite to claim the top prize in Class 3A.

Head Coach Brent Van Hauen knows this meet is critical in sending as many events as they can, to ensure they can compete for a state championship and have some additional advantage heading into next week.

Automatic qualifiers come from the top two placewinners per race, throw, or jump in Class 2A and 3A at the district meet, and heading into today’s competition, the Pella boys currently are 1st or 2nd based on 2021 season times and distances for 10 potential individual entries and in five of the 7 relays, with several in a spot to potentially nab additional bids by at-large qualifying or by moving up in the standings head-to-head tonight.

Meanwhile, the Lady Dutch will have speed as the name of their game, with the likes of Emily McMartin, Calla Kerndt, Delanie Reynolds, and Jacie Trine all in strong position to qualify as individual sprinters, with the 4×100, 4×200, and sprint medley relays coming in as the tops in the 3A District 7 site and some of the fastest groups period in the class this spring.

Field events begin at 4 p.m. at Pella High School for the 2021 State Qualifying Meet.