DUBUQUE— A limited roster of Central College men's and women's track and field athletes put in their final preparations for the postseason Friday at the Dr. Tucker Invitational hosted by Loras College.
           
In anticipation of next weekend's American Rivers Conference Championships, the Dutch did not bring a full squad to the meet. Central had entries in nine of the 17 women's events and in nine of the 17 men's events. No team scores were kept.                                                                                                           
           
"Some of our athletes needed to focus on getting some extra work in to get ready for conference," coach Brandon Sturman said. "Some of them were trying to get better seeds to get in better flights or heats at conference. But we also have some athletes that needed to prepare for finals next week and they did not participate."
           
Theo Baldus (junior, St. Ansgar) uncorked a massive hammer throw of 161 feet, 4 inches on his final throw to take second place. He was also fourth in the discus throw (145-10).
           
"He threw really well," Sturman said. "He's getting closer to qualifying for nationals but it's going to be a tough."
           
Noah Jorgenson (freshman, Sidney) headlined a strong day for the Dutch men's mid-distance crew. He clocked in at 1:52.38, placing second. It's No. 8 all-time at Central and No. 18 in Division III. Teammate Adam Sylvia (sophomore, Boston, Mass., Old Rochester HS) was fifth in 1:55.94).
           
In the men's 1,500-meter run, Will DeHaan (junior, DeWitt, Central DeWitt HS) was second in 3:55.89. Caroline McMartin (freshman, Pella) was third in the women's 1500, running a new personal-best of 4:51.84
           
"They all ran really well," Sturman said. "Our whole mid-distance group really stood out today against some good competition like Loras and Dubuque."
           
Abbi Roerdink (freshman, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) dropped .06 seconds off her best 400-meter dash time, getting fourth place in 59.84.
           
It's exciting to see her get another PR getting ready for conference," Sturman said.
           
Grant Boyse (sophomore, Wellman, Mid-Prairie HS) won his heat of the 400-meter dash in 50.30 seconds, placing fourth overall.
           
Central had two individual event champions as Holly Forrester (senior, Manhattan, Kan., Rock Creek HS) won the women's triple jump (35-8) and Joe Stein (freshman, Milford, Okoboji HS) won the men's 100-meter dash (11.12 seconds).
           
The Dutch begin the three-day American Rivers Conference Championships on Thursday. The first day of action is the first half of the men's decathlon and women's heptathlon.