INDIANOLA — A contingent of young distance runners on the Central College men's track and field squad powered through some less-than-ideal conditions on their way to career-best times at the Kip Janvrin Open Friday afternoon.

The best place-finish for the Dutch on Friday came courtesy of Nick Cooper (freshman, Sheboygan, Wis., South HS), who was fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:03.04, a career best by four seconds. Jeremy Caracci (junior, Johnston) was 21st in 10:56.02

The quartet of Bryant Seuferer (freshman, Milo, Southeast Warren HS), Collin Thomson (sophomore, Maxwell, Collins-Maxwell HS), Daniel Sunvold (freshman, Monroe, Southeast Polk HS) and Eli Miller (freshman, Newhall, Benton Township HS) all had new personal bests. Seuferer led the way in 31^st place (16:28.78) and Thomson followed in 32nd in 16:30.78. Sunvold was 40^th in 17:02.74 with Miller just behind in 17:03.52 for a 42^nd-place finish.

 "Our younger guys ran really well in the 5K," coach Joe Dunham said. "They competed hard. I was really pleased to see that."

Ryan Strauss (freshman, Dubuque, Hemptead HS) also dropped six seconds of his fastest 800-meter run time, dropping to 2:04.07 while placing 35th.

Other new career-best times were set by Taylor Heitkamp (junior, Johnston) and Taylor Smith (sophomore, De Soto, ADM HS) in the 400- and 100-meter dashes, respectively. Heitkamp completed the lap in 52.76, while Smith ran the straightaway in 12.48 seconds.

 "The competitive spirit was there across the board at Kip," Dunham said." It would have been easy to fold it up, but they competed hard.
 
Thursday results - In a trio of throwing events Thursday, Central had a major personal best set by freshman Cooper Puls (freshman, Brooklyn, BGM HS) in the discus throw. After two fouls, Puls launched his final effort 135-3 to up his previous best 20 feet and place 10th.     

Michael Firkins (junior, Centerville) was 12^th in the discus with a toss of 132-9. P.J. Norem (junior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) earned a top-10 finish in the shot put with his throw of 45-4.25, taking ninth.