PELLA — A fourth-place finish at the home Central Invitational kicked off the outdoor season for the Central College men's track and field squad.
The Dutch finished with 105 points in their fourth-place effort. Simpson College was the team champion with 173.5 points.
"Ultimately, I was pleased with our performance," coach
Joe Dunham said. "It's a great place to start for sure."
Dunham cited widespread success in the distance races as key to the Dutch Saturday.
"Our distance men all ran really well," he said. "I was happy with those guys across the board. "
After completing the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9 minutes, 53.93 seconds,
Tanner Rathje (junior, Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar HS) clocked in at 1:57.82 to secure the runner-up in the 800 meters. He also ran a leg of the 4x400-meter relay.
"
Tanner Rathje had a really good day," Dunham said. He's battled through injuries and mono and never was himself indoors. He had an unbelievable day in the steeple and 800. He also finished with a great split in the 4x400."
In the 1,500 meters
, Kyle Pape (sophomore, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS),
Isaac Steffensmeier (senior, Fort Madison) and
Taylor Donner (junior, Dubuque) finished fourth through sixth in times of 4:05:47, 4:05.82 and 4:05.88, respectively.
Mark Fairley (junior, Dubuque) was second in the steeplechase (9:27.52). Pape anchored the runner up sprint medley relay team (3:37.41) that also consisted of
Justin Wimbish (junior, Glendale, Ariz./Apollo HS),
Caleb Jennings (sophomore, Spirit Lake) and
Blake Morgan (junior, Story City, Roland Story HS).
Logan Mulford (senior, Mount Pleasant) leaped over the bar at 6 feet, 9 inches to win the high jump.
Michael Firkins (junior, Centerville) launched his first try in the hammer throw 167-0 to take second.
"They both had great weekends," Dunham said. "I think that'll get Logan into the national meet. It's nice to jump well early and take the pressure off. Michael threw really well with a nine-meter PR.
The Dutch head to Mount Vernon next Saturday for the Cornell Invitational.
