WAVERLY — The only program to score at least two points in all six completed events, the Central College men's track and field team is within striking distance at the American Rivers Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday night.
           
Through the first six events of the two-day competition, the Dutch men are second with 37 points. Wartburg College leads with 57 points.
           
"I'm pretty happy to be in second after day one," coach Brandon Sturman said.
           
Will Daniels (junior, Geneseo, Ill.) already notched all-conference performances in the pole vault (second place, 14-1.75) and long jump (third place, 22-5),
           
"It helps when Will has days like this," Sturman said. "He has another big day tomorrow,"
           
A toss of 49-4.5 in the shot put notched Nathan Fitzgerald (senior, Elkader, Central HS) a third-place finish and all-conference honors.
           
"Fitz getting third in the shot put was huge for us," Sturman said."
           
Tanner Johnson (sophomore, Gallatin, Mo.) was fifth in the pole vault and Brock Lewis (freshman, Lathrop, Mo.) was fifth in the long jump (21-8). Lewis was making his season debut after joining the program at the end of the men's basketball season.
           
"He was a big help for us coming out of basketball and placing," Sturman said."
           
A solid first day has Caleb Jennings (senior, Spirit Lake) in the lead of the heptathlon with 2,536 points. Jennings won three of the four disciplines, setting new personal-best marks in the shot put (36-3.5) and high jump (5-9.75). Freshman Nick Thompson (Newhall, Iowa, Benton HS) is in fifth place with 2,220 points. He had the top long jump with a leap of 20-3.50.
           
"Hopefully they can finish strong," Sturman said. "It could be some big points."
           
Jeremy Fopma (freshman, Marion) was sixth in the 5,000-meter run (15:25.14).
           
Central's distance medley relay squad of Will DeHaan (freshman, DeWitt, Central HS), Alec Stahl (freshman, Steamboat Rock, AGWSR HS), Parker Hill (senior, Bettendorf) and Kyle Pape (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) was fifth in the 10:27.47.
           
The 4x200-meter relay squad of Cory Suedmeier (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS), Carter Tryon (freshman, Winterset), Mitchell Yaw (senior, Orange City, MOC-Floyd Valley HS) and Danny Devenuto (freshman, Plainfield, Ill., North HS) placed seventh (1:31.79).
 
Day two of the conference championships starts on Saturday at 9 a.m.