CRETE, NEB.— Completing the heptathlon at the Doane College Happy Holidays Multi-Event, Central College track and field athletes Will Daniels (sophomore, Geneseo, Ill.) and Ryan Kruse (senior, St. Clair, Minn.) already are in good position to qualify for the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships in March.
           
On the first weekend of competition for the indoor track and field season, Daniels mark of 5,010 points not only won the Doane meet, but also gives him the No. 1 effort in Division III so far this season. Kruse, who finished third at Doane with 4,880, is second in the country.
           
"I would say we are hopeful that they are both safely into the national meet," associate head coach Jim Fuller said." Last year going into nationals, only three athletes had more than 5,000 points. Last year it took about 4,790 points or so to qualify and Ryan is 100 points over that."
           
Daniels set new personal bests in five of seven events while Kruse bettered his marks in six. It was their performances in the 60-meter dash that stood out most to Fuller. Daniels dropped from 7.36 seconds to 7.12 and Kruse went from 7.57 to 7.34.
           
"Dropping two-tenths of a second in the 60-meter dash is a tremendous change in one year," Fuller said. "I'm really pleased with their speed development. They have worked very hard at their lifting and it has had significant impact on their speed."
           
In addition to having the best overall time in the 60-meter dash, Daniels also bested the 14-man field in the high jump by clearing 6 feet, 9 inches. Kruse had a shot put mark of 45 feet, 8.5 inches, over six feet further than the next closest competitor.
           
H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse on Central's campus is the site of the Dutch Holiday Preview next Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. with field events.