CRETE, NEB. — Finally getting to contest a women's heptathlon and men's decathlon, the Central College track and field multi-event athletes were strong on the first day at the Jim Dutcher Memorial Classic.
           
Five Dutch men are in the decathlon, led by Brody Klein (sophomore, Rainier, Wash) in third place with 3,367 points. Lucas Heitz (junior, Adel, ADM HS) is fourth with 3,318 points, Reid Pakkebier (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) is fifth with 3,315 points, Jaxon Thompson (sophomore, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) is sixth with 3,282 points and Nick Thompson (senior, Newhall, Benton HS) is 10^th with 2,947 points.
           
Rayna Sickels (freshman, Indianola) is Central's top entry in the heptathlon, currently sixth with 2,491 points. Krissa Larson (senior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) is 10^th with 2,349 points.                                                                                           

"We were pretty good today," associate head coach Jim Fuller said. "It helps having some temperatures that were above 50 degrees. It was nice to not have to be so bundled up."
           
Fuller was happy with the effort of his men in the 100-meter dash, especially Pakkebier and Klein who were second and third in 11.41 and 11.42 seconds, respectively.
           
"The 100 can give you an indication if your day has a chance to go well or if it is definitely not going to go well," Fuller said. "When you have PRs in the 100 you know you have a chance to have a good day."
           
Fuller cited the high jump by Heitz (6 feet, 1.50inches) as a big step for the junior.
           
"High jump was really good for Lucas," Fuller said. "That's a big deal for him to reach that mark, it helped his score tremendously."

Sickels cleared 4-10.25 in the high jump and ran the 200-meter dash in 26.80 seconds.
           
"Rayna high jumped really well and ran good, strong 200," Fuller said. "I was happy about both of those."
           
Larson's best finish on day one was in the shot put, placing fifth in 31-1.75.

"Krissa was not great in anything but she was solid in everything," Fuller said. "She's finishing up her commitment to student teaching soon and I think she'll keep getting better as we get closer to conference. Her best events are tomorrow as well."
           
Day two of the heptathlon and decathlon starts Friday at 10 a.m.