PELLA — Eight Central College track and field athletes are officially set to compete at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships next weekend in Geneva, Ohio.

Central will have seven men's athletes competing across four events. Brock Lewis (senior, Lathrop, Mo.) is the top qualifier in the long jump and Sam Beatty (junior, Mount Pleasant) is the second-best qualifier in the high jump. Theo Baldus (senior, St. Ansgar) is the No. 17 qualifier in the discus throw. Brody Klein (sophomore, Rainier, Wash.), Lucas Heitz (junior, Adel, ADM HS), Reid Pakkebier (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) and Jaxon Thompson (sophomore, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) are all qualified in the decathlon, coming in at No. 14, No. 17, No. 18 and No. 20 respectively.

Caroline McMartin (sophomore, Pella) will represent the women's program as the No. 18 qualifier in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
 
Central College NCAA Championships schedule of events
Thursday, May 26 (times are EST)
10:30 a.m. – men's discus throw (prelims and finals)
11:30 a.m. – men's decathlon (100-meter dash)
12:15 p.m. – men's decathlon (long jump)
1:25 p.m. – men's decathlon (shot put)
2:30 p.m. – men's long jump (prelims and finals)
2:45 p.m. – men's decathlon (high jump)
4:40 p.m. – men's decathlon (400-meter dash)
7:35 p.m. – women's 3,000-meter steeplechase (prelims)
 
Friday, May 27 (times are EST)
10 a.m. – men's decathlon (110-meter hurdles)
10:45 a.m. – men's decathlon (discus throw)
12:00 p.m. – men's decathlon (pole vault)
2 p.m. – men's high jump (final)
2:45 p.m. – men's decathlon (javelin throw)
4:30 p.m. – men's decathlon (1500 meters)

Saturday, May 28 (times are EST)
11:30 a.m. – women's 3,000-meter steeplechase (final)