The Pella cross country teams open the 2021 season poised to continue a tradition of excellence as they travel to Iowa State University for the Gilbert Invitational later today.

Both the No. 3 Dutch boys and No. 6 girls finished 2020 at the state meet in Fort Dodge, with several key returners on both rosters set to lineup at the starting line of the opening meet of the new year.

Head Coach Doug Cutler says after hundreds of miles logged over the summer and nearly three full weeks of practice, he’s excited to begin honing in on the program’s long-standing process of building toward the state qualifying meet and having Pella well-represented among Iowa’s best.

Chase Lauman of the boys team is ranked 16th in the preseason 3A individual standings, and Jacie Trine (22nd) and Autumn Blink (30th) are in the 3A girls rankings.

Races for the Gilbert Invitational are scheduled to begin at 4:45 at Iowa State University.