It’s no longer a matter of shying away from expectations — it’s the work now to meet them, and while a talented senior class has graduated, the No. 1 ranked Pella girls cross country team is a head-and-shoulders favorite to clear the rest of the Class 3A field in 2024.
The back-to-back champions have all the resources to make it a threepeat, and Head Coach Doug Cutler says they are not necessarily shy about their ambition to win a title. He also says it’s not a given, and enough teams have had the green and white as targets to make it interesting throughout the fall season — including primary challengers Mount Vernon-Lisbon and Gilbert, the two other trophy winners last fall. But make no mistake, Cutler knows they are capable of being not only the best team in Class 3A, but maybe the entire state — and he says they’ve put in the effort to make that possible.
“It’s a real special time,” Cutler says. “We have an excellent mix of girls who have some natural talent, they work hard, but they work correctly. They understand the importance of nutrition and rest — just the whole package of putting all of it together and doing the little things right at that elite level when you’re there.”
It all starts for the Dutch with defending Class 3A individual cross country champion Marissa Ferebee, who is coming off of wins in the 1500 and 3000 meters on the track this past spring. Key returners also include senior Raegan Snieder, a 2021 All-State honoree, sophomores Ruth Dunham and Elsie Brenneman, and multiple-time state track and field and soccer qualifier Lizzie Neumann. That group is reinforced by a strong returning group of JV runners from the past few seasons and a deep and talented freshman class, according to Cutler.
Pella opens the season at Cedar Rapids Prairie on August 31st.
Full schedule:
Aug. 31st – at Cedar Rapids Prairie
Sept. 7th – at Central College (home meet)
Sept. 12th – at Iowa State University (Gilbert)
Sept. 21st – at Central College (Heartland Classic)
Oct. 1st – at Williamsburg
Oct. 7th – at Hillcrest Academy
Oct. 14th – at Newton (Little Hawkeye Conference championships)
Oct. 23rd – State Qualifier
Nov. 1st – State Meet in Fort Dodge