LINCOLN, NEB.  — With several key components of the roster competing elsewhere, the Central College men's track and field finished third in a triangular hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan University Friday.
             
Central mustered 106 points compared to Nebraska Wesleyan University's winning total of 163 and Simpson College's runner-up tally of 115. Both of Central's national qualifiers from the indoor season, Kyle Pape (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) and Will Daniels (junior, Geneseo, Ill.) were among the athletes competing elsewhere.
           
"I think we did pretty well but we obviously didn't have our entire team," coach Brandon Sturman said. "It was a really good meet, but we could have put up more points."

Only two athletes and one relay team per event could contribute to the team scores. Individual titles were worth seven points and the other five scoring entries went backwards from five. Relay champions got seven points while second and third got five and four, respectively.

Brock Lewis (freshman, Lathrop, Mo.) had top-two efforts in the triple jump and the long jump. He won the triple with a mark of 45 feet, 2.25 inches and was runner-up in the long jump (20-5).

"If you're doing multiple events at a small meet, the events can stack on top of each other," Sturman said. "Brock also had to the 4x100-meter relay but he was able to gather himself and get a long PR in the triple."

Drake Lewis (sophomore, Lathrop, Mo.) continues to impress in the high jump, clearing 6-6.75 for the win.
           
"He's coming into his own as he competes each week," Sturman said. "He's getting back into the groove of jumping and he's also getting better in the hurdles."
           
Theo Baldus (freshman, St. Ansgar) uncorked a discus throw almost 11 feet better than his previous best to take second place (151-8).
           
"Theo is making progress every day," Sturman said. "We knew he'd be a big part of our team, it's really nice to see it all coming together."
Winning the first 3,000-meter steeplechase of his career, Jeremy Fopma (freshman, Marion) crossed the line in 9 minutes, 37.47 seconds. In the 3,000-meter run, Bryant Seuferer (junior, Milo, Southeast Warren HS) finished in 8:58.51, good for a second place.
           
"Fopma had another huge PR in the steeple," Sturman said. "Bryant had a really great 1500."

A handful of Central athletes will hopefully be competing at the Drake Relays next week, but the heat sheets won't be posted until Sunday. The majority of Central's roster will be at the Kip Janvrin Open on Simpson's campus next weekend.