The top 10 countdown of stories from Pella High School takes us to a championship weekend that became tense going into the final day, but one that ultimately brought the Dutch to the top of the 3A track and field podium.

On May 20th, Pella claimed its 4th team championship in 10 years, withstanding an impressive charge from Western Dubuque over the course of the weekend.

With several Drake Relays Blue Standard qualifying times and distances early in the season, it became apparent early that 2023 would not be a rebuild from the 2022 runner-up finish for Pella on the oval. Going into the final meet, the Dutch had several potential points on the board, but those fell a bit as the event wore on. Thankfully for Pella, the Dutch had an ace in Chase Lauman, who swept the races in the 800, 1600, and 3200 meters despite a deep field in many of those races. A clinching race was the 1600, where Lauman and freshman Canaan Dunham both scored points to ultimately end the chances for the hard-charging Bobcats. A surprise 3rd place finish for the Shuttle Hurdle Relay (Cor Huyser, Andrew Vanderhoff, Levi Shetterly, Luke Fairchild) — an event Pella won in 2022, seemed to springboard the champs to the top.

The following athletes scored points for Pella beyond those mentioned above: Brandon Fischer – discus (2nd), Hanson King – discus (6th), shot put (3rd), Quinn Gruver, Cam Schulte, Bailey Shetterly, CJ Shetterly, Trey Van Hauen (various relays).

Interview recapping championship weekend: