GENEVA, OHIO — Two Central College track and field athletes were one spot away from qualifying for their event finals on the first day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday.

Brock Lewis (senior, Lathrop, Mo.) had a disappointing finish to his Central career, placing 10th in the long jump. Lewis entered with the best qualifying mark in the country but fouled on two of his three preliminary attempts only reached 23-0.5 on his lone successful leap. The top nine jumpers in the prelims made the finals.

"He's jumped so well all year," coach Brandon Sturman said. "He wasn't jumping bad, he just couldn't get on the board like he wanted to. He hadn't had a problem getting on the board all year but he did for some reason today. He still had a great year setting the school record and being the regional field athlete of the year."

Caroline McMartin (sophomore, Pella) was one spot away from qualifying for the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, taking 13th in 11:03.57.  She finished seventh in the second heat for her national track debut.

"The biggest thing is that she came in and finished higher than she entered," Sturman said. "She'll learn from the experience and learn how to get out into a better position."

Reid Pakkebier (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) is leading the way for Central's four decathlon entries with in 13th place 3,459 points through five events. Jaxon Thompson (sophomore, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) moved up the leader board with a big high jump into 15th place (3,397 points). Brody Klein (sophomore, Rainier, Wash.) is 17th with 3,294 points and Lucas Heitz (junior, Adel, ADM HS) is 18th with 3,268 points.
           
"There's been some ups and downs for them," Sturman said.  "Overall, they are where they should be going into day two. That's been our stronger day all year, especially for Brody with the pole vault and the javelin throw. We're excited about where they're at and maybe we can sneak one of them onto the podium."

Theo Baldus (senior, St. Ansgar) wrapped up his season with an 18th-place outing in the discus throw with a toss of 145-6. Though Baldus has completed four years at Central, he intends to come back for a fifth season courtesy of the COVID-19 waiver year.

"I don't think Theo was happy with how it went," Sturman said. "It's a learning experience and hopefully he can build off of that next year."

The decathletes will complete day two tomorrow Saturday and Sam Beatty (junior, Mount Pleasant) will contest the high jump.
 
Central College NCAA Championships schedule of events
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)