Meet Preview: 2024 Bud & Bonnie Williams Invitational

For the first time since 2009, the Pella Dutch squad is running a split schedule. The varsity runners are heading to the Bud & Bonnie Williams Classic in Iowa City hosted by City High School. The meet features a strong contingent of 4A schools and should provide ample competition for the Dutch Squad.

Meet Information

October 3rd, 2024

Location: Kickers Soccer Complex, Iowa City, IA – 4400 Soccer Park Rd, Iowa City, IA 52240[Google Maps Link]

Race Start Time:

4:15 PM– Varsity Girls Race
4:45 PM– Varsity Boys Race

Course Map

Course Overview

The Kickers Soccer Complex course is a well-known course. While it doesn’t produce the state’s fastest times it is still a solid course. Most of the course is flat as it is run around soccer fields. It is essentially a two-loop course. There are several spots where you can see the athletes pass. So grab your running shoes (not your soccer cleats) and be ready to cheer these athletes on!

Probable Team Line Up

Varsity Boys
Devon Browne, Kaiden Browne, Canaan Dunham, Jonah Ebersole, Mason Gaulke, Aren Hellbusch, Noah Schuknecht

Varsity Girls
Carleigh Altwine, Elsie Brenneman, Ruth Dunham, Marissa Ferebee, Lizzie Neumann, Mara Schiebout, Raegan Sneider, Lizzy Vande Voort

Key Competing Teams

Race Line Up (as of 9/27/2024)

Ankeny Centennial (4A Boys #17, Girls #3), CR Jefferson, CR Prairie (4A Boys #4, Girls #17), Clear Creek Amana (3A Boys #7, Girls #5), DM Roosevelt – Girls Only, Dubuque Hempstead (4A Girls #10), Dubuque Senior-Girls only (4A Girls #4), Durant, Hillcrest Academy, IC City High (4A Boys #8, Girls #7), IC Liberty (Boys #13), Moline IL, Ottumwa, Pekin, Pella (3A Boys #2, Girls #1), Pleasant Valley (JV), Wilton

The upcoming races for both the girls’ and boys’ teams are shaping up to be intense and competitive.

Girls Team Race:
The Dutch girls’ team is on a promising trajectory and is the favorite in this meet. However, they face tough competition from top-ranked teams like Ankeny Centennial (3), Dubuque Senior (4), and City High (7). These teams are known for their strong pack running, which could pose a challenge for the Dutch girls. Clear Creek-Amana (5), another 3A team, is also running well lately and might shake things up. The battle for the 3rd to 7th positions will be the race to watch, as it’s bound to be a thrilling contest.

Boys Team Race:
The Dutch boys’ team faces formidable opponents, including top 4A teams Cedar Rapids Prairie and Iowa City High. Having already lost twice to Cedar Rapids Prairie, they have a point to prove. Additionally, their in-class rival, Clear Creek-Amana, will be eager to upset the Dutch’s ambitions. After their recent performance, the Dutch boys are motivated to make a statement as they move toward the postseason, so expect a fiercely competitive race.

Overall, both races promise to be exciting and a great test of each team’s current form and racing strategy.

Athlete Spotlight

Girls Individual Race

Some of the state’s best runners are set to take on the Kickers cross-country course. Leading the pack is Dutch standout and current 3A #1, Marissa Ferebee. Ferebee has been unstoppable this season, consistently posting sub-17:34 times and dominating races with an average victory margin of 45 seconds. Her toughest competition this season has been none other than super sophomore Elsie Brenneman, the 3A #2, who has pushed Ferebee in nearly every race.

Adding to the excitement, Ankeny Centennial’s Anika Mohrhauser, currently ranked 4A #2, is having a fantastic senior season and will undoubtedly challenge Ferebee and Brenneman.

Other ranked athletes to watch include:

4A: #7 Emma Chesterman (11, Dubuque Senior), #8 Haley Hveem (12, Centennial), #9 Evie Henneberry (12, Hempstead), #15 Abigail Burns (11, City High), #21 Emily Gorton (12, Senior), #24 Claire Hoyer (12, Senior)
3A: #7 Ruth Dunham (10, Pella), #12 Mara Schiebout (12, Pella), #14 Elizabeth VandeVoort (9, Pella), #18 Raegan Snieder (12, Pella), #22 Carleigh Altwine (9, Pella)
1A: #8 Chloe Glosser (11, Pekin), #20 Marie Yoder (10, Hillcrest Academy)

Boys Individual Race

The boys’ race promises to be just as thrilling, with a stacked field of talented runners. The favorite is Pella junior Canaan Dunham, the current 3A #2, who has shown remarkable consistency throughout his 2024 campaign. He’ll face fierce competition from 4A standout Keegan Decker, the Liberty sophomore ranked 4A #5, who will be looking to make a strong push for the top spot.

Despite the warm weather forecast, expect an intense battle among these athletes.

Other ranked contenders include:

4A: #20 Jacob Madsen (12, Liberty), #21 Noah Gregoire (12, Liberty), #25 Linus McRoberts (11, City High), #26 Cohen Moll (11, Centennial), #28 Micah Fern (11, Hempstead)
3A: #13 Mason Gaulke (11, Pella), #23 Isaac Sorensen (12, Clear Creek Amana)