img_20211021_180447

The Pella Christian, Pleasantville, and Twin Cedars Cross Country teams competed in the Pekin State Qualifying Meet Thursday. 

For the first time in 11 years, the Pella Christian Boys squad qualified for the State Meet in Fort Dodge, finishing second behind the #2 ranked team in Class 1A Earlham. The Eagles had five runners finish in the top 25, with Kaden Van Wyngarden leading the way with a fifth place finish. Van Wyngarden believes that the Eagles success in the state qualifying meet provides momentum for the upcoming State meet.

Van Wyn Garden: “I think it’s a good feeling to know we were just behind the #1 team in the state. I think that if we put in the work this next week and a half, we should have a good chance of doing well at State.

The Pella Christian girls finished one spot away from qualifying as a team, but the Eagles did have two individual girls qualify as Joslyn Terpstra and Jaclyn Holmes finished 5th and 8th respectively. Both Terpstra and Holmes say that being able to represent the Eagles at State is a great feeling.

 Terpstra: “It’s really exciting to make it to State at a small school. Obviously, there aren’t a lot of chances to get to state, so it’s really exciting.”  

Holmes: ”For me personally, I think this is surreal. Last night (Wednesday) I was just dreaming about it and now it’s coming true.”

Twin Cedars runner Rylee Dunkin brought home a 2nd place finish in the meet to qualify for the State Meet in Fort Dodge for the third straight year. After clinching that third straight trip to Fort Dodge, Dunkin said that she loves being able to represent her school and community on such a big platform.

Dunkin: “One of my big things is that I’m going to run for the name on the front of my jersey. I’m a big part of our school and I love representing my community in that way. I love being from a small town and being able to represent my school, and going up there to compete against those runners and show them that even though I’m from a small school, these small schools can still have great athletes that can compete just as good as the rest of them.”

Both of the Pleasantville cross country teams brought home 9th place finishes. The Trojans boys squad was led by Jenkin Fulmer who finished 29th, and the girls squad was led by Kyleigh McConnell with a 51st place finish.

The Pella Christian Boys, Joslyn Terpstra, Jaclyn Holmes and Rylee Dunkin will compete in the State Cross Country Meet in Fort Dodge on Saturday October 29th.