A long-running tradition of the Iowa Track and Field Coaches Association continued at the Pella Sports Park Saturday with the 2023 All-Star Senior Cross Country Meet. The Pella Cross Country program hosted the showcase featuring some of the best graduating seniors in Iowa, and opened with an exhibition race highlighting several other talented runners of all ages.

Tommy Tyynismma of South Tama and Coco Kooker of Valley were the individual champions.

Among the local athletes competing in the senior races:
Boys – Nathan Vander Waal, Pella (3rd – 15:57.4); Stephen Gaul, Pella (28th – 17:21.6); Wyatt Van Dyke, Pella (37th – 17:44.2); Daniel Webster, Norwalk (46th – 17:58.7); Jamison Bice, Norwalk (57th – 18:26.6)
Girls – Tess Paulsen, Pella (18th – 21:22.8); Jaclyn Holmes, Pella Christian (21st – 21:48.8)
Open – Aren Hellbusch, Pella (16:54.4); Isaac Rankin, Knoxville (17:14.1), Kaiden Browne (18:39.9)

Find full results here. Van Dyke and Paulsen of Pella will be featured Tuesday on the Lely Radio Sports Page, as well legendary track and cross country announcer Mike Jay.