A much anticipated 2023 season for the defending Class 3A champions boys and girls Dutch cross country teams is on the horizon, and has them heavily featured in the preseason rankings issued by the Iowa Track and Field Coaches Association.

Pella boasts both No. 1 preseason boys and girls teams and enter the new campaign as the favorites to repeat the feat. There are several ranked athletes on both teams, based mostly on their 2022 state meet performances. Freshmen are not included in the preseason lists:

Class 3A Boys:
#2 – Canaan Dunham
#4 – Nathan VanderWaal
#24 – Devon Browne
#26 – Noah Schuknecht

Class 3A Girls:
#1 – Marissa Ferebee
#11 – Autumn Blink
#22 – Raegan Snieder
#27 – Lizzie Neumann

The competitive debut for the Dutch cross country teams is on Saturday at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids.

Click here for a season preview of the boys, and here for the girls. Stay tuned to 92.1 KRLS and visit KNIAKRLS.com daily for results and photos from Pella High School athletics.