WAVERLY  —  A handful of athletes on the Central College men's and women's track and field teams competed at the Wartburg Qualifier Saturday, making their final attempts at qualifying for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.
           
No team scores were kept in the meet.
           
There were no individual champions amongst Central athletes, the highest-finishing Dutch athlete was Miranda Kruiswyk (freshman, Dunlap, Ill.) in the women's mile. She finished second in 5 minutes, 14.40 seconds.
           
"That was an awesome performance and a lifetime best for Miranda," coach Brandon Sturman said.
           
Holly Forrester (sophomore, Manhattan, Kan., Rock Creek HS) continues to inch her way closer to the school record in the women's triple jump. Her mark of 36 feet, 5 inches is 6.5 inches off of the record mark. She finished third on Saturday.
           
"Even though we came up short of our goal, she is jumping a lot better," Sturman said. "I am excited for outdoor."
           
Setting new personal-best marks in both events, Emily Burt (senior, Freeport, Ill.) was fifth in the women's shot put and eighth in the weight throw. She put the shot 42-7.5 and threw the weight 51-9.75. Also in the weight throw, Kennedy Morris (sophomore, Earlham) was fourth (54-10.75)
           
"Emily gave it a strong effort in both events," Sturman said. "I think if she can carry this momentum into outdoor, good things will happen. Kennedy was looking to improve her mark just to solidify her spot in nationals. Though she didn't improve she is throwing very well and a big one is due."
           
On the edge of qualifying for the men's 800-meter run, Kyle Pape (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) was unable to improve his time. He still finished third in 1:55.19.
           
"He ran a great race," Sturman said. "Unfortunately it wasn't the time we were hoping for. He is now sitting No. 25 nationally, so we will declare him and see what happens. There will be people that pull out of the top 20, it's just a matter of how many.
           
Despite a ninth-place finish, Central men's 4x400-meter relay team of Mitchell Yaw (senior, Orange City, MOC-Floyd Valley HS), Carter Tryon (freshman, Winterset), Alec Stahl (freshman, Steamboat Rock, AGWSR HS) and Cory Suedmeier (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) dropped two seconds off their season best with a time of 3:22.90.
           
"They were able to finish off the indoor season strong with another PR," Sturman said.
           
Central will find out who has qualified for the NCAA Division III Track and Field Indoor Championships later this weekend.