Race Preview: Dutch Travel to Gilbert Invitational

The Dutch are back in action on Thursday, September 11, as they travel to Ames for the Gilbert Invitational, held on the Iowa State University Cross Country Course near Mortensen Road and the Towers Residential Housing. This meet annually features one of the deepest multi-class fields in Iowa, with state-ranked teams from 1A, 2A, and 3A all set to compete. With the ISU course’s reputation for speed, fans can expect blazing times and thrilling competition.

📍 View the ISU 5K Course Map »

Schedule

• 1:50 – Students dismissed from school

• 2:05 – Buses depart from Team Room

• 5:00 – Varsity Boys

• 5:25 – Varsity Girls

• 5:50 – JV Boys

• 6:20 – JV Girls

• 6:50 – Awards

*Times could be subject to change based on weather.

Varsity Lineups

Boys: Carlton, Dunham, Ebersole, Gaulke, Paulsen, Schiebout, Schuknecht
Girls: Altwine, Brenneman, Dunham, Ferebee, McCulla, Neumann, Paulsen, Vande Voort

JV Race will include the remainder of the Dutch roster assuming health.

Teams Competing

Ranked 3A Teams

• Boys: Gilbert (#1), Pella (#2), ADM (#6), Des Moines Christian (#7), Sioux Center (#9), Clear Creek Amana (#10), Solon (#18)

• Girls: Pella (#1), Des Moines Christian (#3), Sioux Center (#4), Solon (#6), Gilbert (#11), ADM (#14)

Ranked 2A Teams

• Boys: Forest City (#2), Pella Christian (#6), Van Meter (#16)

• Girls: Van Meter (#2), PCM (#4), West Marshall (#5), Forest City (#8), Pella Christian (#9)

Ranked 1A Teams

• Boys: Earlham (#4), Lynnville-Sully (#12), Baxter (#20)

• Girls: Madrid (#2), Earlham (#3), Lynnville-Sully (#7), Collins-Maxwell (#11), English Valleys (#13)

Other Teams in the Field
ACGC, Boone, Carlisle, Nevada, North Polk, South Hamilton, Winterset

The Boys’ Race

The boys’ field is absolutely loaded, headlined by #1 Gilbert and #2 Pella in the latest 3A team rankings. At the Dutch Invitational, Gilbert edged Pella 37–46, setting up a rematch that feels like a state-meet preview. Add in other top-10 programs from across 3A, plus elite 2A and 1A squads, and this is one of the best fields in Iowa this season.

Last Week At The Dutch Invite Boys Team Results (Sept. 6)

1. Gilbert – 37

2. Pella – 46

3. ADM – 101

4. Mount Pleasant – 134

5. Platte County (MO) – 142

Latest 3A Individual Rankings (Top athletes in this meet):

• #2 Canaan Dunham (Pella, 12) – defending Dutch Invite champion, and last years Gilbert Invite Champion.

• #3 Logan Bleich (Gilbert, 11) – Gilbert’s front-runner, runner-up at Dutch Invite.

• #4 Jacob Tallman (Gilbert, 11) – consistent top-five performer.

• #5 Carson Squiers (Gilbert, 12) – strengthens Gilbert’s lethal front three.

• #10 Mason Gaulke (Pella, 12) – reliable low scorer for the Dutch.

• #13 Noah Schuknecht (Pella, 12) – senior leader and front-pack presence.

• #15 Porter Carlton (Pella, 11) – adds depth to Pella’s scoring.

• #17 Zach Stevemer (Gilbert, 9) – standout freshman boosting the Tigers’ depth.

• #29 Emrick Ryan (Gilbert, 12) – veteran presence rounding out Gilbert’s scoring pack.

Storylines to Watch

• Pella vs. Gilbert: The two best teams in 3A, both stacked with top-30 talent, are set for another clash.

• Dunham vs. the Gilbert trio: Dunham (#2) faces Bleich (#3), Tallman (#4), and Squiers (#5) in a marquee individual matchup.

• Other contenders: ADM (#6) brings state-ranked Ty Miller (#22), while Sioux Center (#9) and Solon (#18) add depth.

• Cross-class firepower: Forest City (#2 in 2A) and Earlham (#4 in 1A) give this race even more state-meet caliber intrigue.

With at least nine top-30 individuals and multiple ranked teams from three classes, the boys’ race promises fireworks and fast marks on the ISU course.

📊 View 2024 Gilbert Invitational Boys Results »

The Girls’ Race

The girls’ race is equally deep, led by the #1 ranked Pella Dutch. At their home invite, Pella five in the top seven and scored 17 points, showing why they remain the 3A the team to beat. They’ll be tested by multiple state powers: Des Moines Christian (#3), Sioux Center (#4), Solon (#6), and Gilbert (#11) in 3A, plus ranked squads from 2A and 1A.

Last Week At The Dutch Invite Boys Team Results (Sept. 6)

1. Pella – 17

2. ADM – 65

3. Gilbert – 84

4. Mount Pleasant – 116

5. Platte County (MO) – 152

Latest 3A Individual Rankings (Top athletes in this meet):

• #1 Marissa Ferebee (Pella, 12) – undefeated so far, Dutch Invite champion.

• #2 Elsie Brenneman (Pella, 11) – steady #2 consistently adding to the Dutch 1-2 punch.

• #5 Lizzy Vande Voort (Pella, 10) – rising star in Iowa distance running.

• #11 Carleigh Altwine (Pella, 10) – tough competitor that makes Pella’s front pack even stronger.

• #21 Ruth Dunham (Pella, 11) – consistent contributor in the Dutch top five.

• #3 Elyse Erzen (Des Moines Christian, 10) – one of the top young stars in Iowa, chasing the Dutch up front.

• #9 Audrina Jones (Sioux Center, 11) and #15 Molly Isakson (Sioux Center, 11) – give Sioux Center a strong duo.

• #4 Avery Fedler (Mount Pleasant, 9) – standout freshman already making noise statewide.

• #25 Keira Andersen (Gilbert, 12) – key front-runner for the Tigers.

Storylines to Watch

• Pella’s dominance: With five runners ranked in the top 25, the Dutch are overwhelming favorites.

• Front-pack showdown: Ferebee (#1), Brenneman (#2), and Erzen (#3) highlight one of the best individual battles of the season.

• Depth of field: Ranked 3A challengers (Sioux Center, Solon, Gilbert, ADM), 2A contenders (Van Meter #2, PCM #4, West Marshall #5, Forest City #8, Pella Christian #9), and 1A powers (Madrid #2, Earlham #3, Lynnville-Sully #7, Collins-Maxwell #11, English Valleys #13) all converge to make this a true statewide showcase.

With over a dozen ranked teams across three classes and at least 10 ranked individuals, the ISU course should produce some of the fastest times of the season.

📊 View 2024 Gilbert Invitational Girls Results »

Looking Ahead

After the Gilbert Invitational, the Dutch will split up for a busy weekend on Saturday, September 20:

• The nationally ranked Pella girls travel north to Minnesota for the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational, where they will line up against some of the nation’s best.

• The remainder of the girls’ squad and the full boys’ team will stay home in Pella for the Heartland Classic, one of the premier Midwest cross country meets.

Roy Griak Invitational (Sept. 20, Minnesota)

• 11:00 a.m. – Girls Championship

• 11:20 a.m. – Girls Championship Awards

Heartland Classic (Sept. 20, Central College – Pella)

• 10:10 a.m. – JV Girls

• 10:45 a.m. – JV Boys

• 11:20 a.m. – Varsity Girls (10 entrants per team)

• 11:50 a.m. – Varsity Boys (10 entrants per team)

• 12:15 p.m. – Awards Ceremony

Both meets provide elite competition and valuable experience as the Dutch continue building toward the championship season.

TOP 10 PELLA ISU COURSE TIMES

Girls

Boys

2024 VARSITY TEAM RESULTS

Girls

1 Pella 23
2 Solon 134
3 Van Meter 164
4 Clear Crk-Amana 178
5 Winterset 184
6 Adm, Adel 191
7 Gilbert 217
8 Earlham 227
9 Forest City 235
10 North Polk 249
11 Madrid 259
12 Clear Lake 265
13 Pella Christian 304
14 ACGC 326
15 Nevada 400
16 W Marshall 416
17 Boone 456
18 Carlisle 476
19 S Hamilton 525

Boys

1 Gilbert 22
2 Pella 55
3 Clear Crk-Amana 126
4 Adm, Adel 144
5 Carlisle 183
6 Forest City 197
7 Nevada 225
8 North Polk 257
9 Earlham 257
10 Pella Christian 283
11 ACGC 296
12 Solon 309
13 Clear Lake 318
14 Van Meter 331
15 Winterset 339
16 Madrid 460
17 W Marshall 538
18 Boone 550
19 S Hamilton 585

2024 JV TEAM RESULTS

Girls

1 Pella 15
2 Solon 67
3 Clear Crk-Amana 88
4 Adm, Adel 131
5 Gilbert 154
6 North Polk 208
7 Clear Lake 220
8 Pella Christian 230
9 Forest City 247
10 Carlisle 248
11 Winterset  254
12 W Marshall 342

Boys

1 Pella 19
2 Adm, Adel 36
3 Clear Crk-Amana 105
4 Gilbert 116
5 Clear Lake 130
6 Nevada 189
7 North Polk  212
8 Pella Christian 243
9 Carlisle 274
10 Solon 283
11 Winterset 308
12 Van Meter 364
13 Earlham 389
14 Forest City 391
15 Boone 456