PELLA — The Central College Track and Field team returned to competition Friday night by hosting the Dutch Holiday Preview.

The five-team meet also included athletes from Simpson College, Central Methodist University (Mo.), Culver-Stockton College (Mo.) and Truman State University (Mo.). No team scores were kept.
           
Between the men's and women's teams, Central won 10 events.
           
Joe Stein (sophomore, Milford, Spirit Lake HS) swept the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash, finishing .01 off his season-best marks from last year. He won the 60-meter finals in 6.88 seconds and ran the 200 meters in 22.33
           
"He knows how to accelerate out of the blocks," coach Brandon Sturman said. "He's pretty much starting where he left off in the spring."
           
Kasey Pelzer (sophomore, Pleasantville) and Brock Lewis (senior, Lathrop, Mo.) won the women's and men's long jumps, respectively. Pelzer hit 17 feet, 1.5 inches in the women's field and Lewis reached 23-4 in the men's field.
           
"It's a good start to the year for both of them," Sturman said. "Brock hit his goal and Kasey was consistent in her jumps."
           
Sophomore Caroline McMartin (Pella) ran a lifetime best in the 3,000-meter run, winning in a time of 10:34.95.
           
"Caroline is following up her cross country season," Sturman said. "We're excited to see her continue to build and hopefully make a name for herself in track."

Senior Will DeHaan (DeWitt, Central DeWitt HS) was the top collegiate finisher behind an unattached runner in the men's 3,000 meters in 8:57.56.
           
"Breaking nine minutes is pretty good for this time of year," Sturman said.
           
Central went 1-2 in both of the women's throwing events. Abby Marr (junior, Riceville) won the weight throw (54-2.75) and Alyssa Striegel (freshman, Mount Pleasant) won the shot put (38-10.25).  Marr was second in the shot put (38-9.75) and Streigel was second in the weight throw (43-3.75)
           
"Abby was phenomenal in the weight throw," Sturman said. "Alyssa had PRs in both events."    

A few of Central's multi-event athletes are headed to Doane University for the Happy Holidays Multi-Event Saturday and Sunday in Crete, Neb. The rest of the team is off until January 15 for the Dutch Athletics Classic.