PELLA — The full Central College track and field squad took to the road for the first time Friday, competing at the Prairie Wolf Invitational hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan University.

There were no team scores kept. Athletes came from nine different schools, including NCAA Division I team the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and NCAA Division II programs Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) and Concordia University – Irvine (Calif.).

"I thought we competed well," coach Brandon Sturman said. "Some of the times and marks might not reflect that and aren't where we want them to be, but it's only second week from break and we're a little sore and tired.

"The meet is a good mix for us. We were facing some different teams and there was some good competition."

Central had two event winners on the night. Hailey Hill (senior, Las Vegas, Nevada., West Career & Technical Academy) won the women's 5,000-meter run in 19 minutes and 12.60 seconds. Sam Beatty (senior, Mount Pleasant) was the men's high jump champion with a leap of 6 feet, 6.25 inches.

Central had top-three finishes in both the women's and men's pole vault. Amber Vroman (sophomore, Seneca, Ill.) set another new personal best at 10-1.25, finishing second. Brody Klein (junior, Rainier, Wash.) had a new personal-best indoor mark at 14-7.25

"That was a good mark for Brody," Sturman said. "Amber has done that three meets in a row which is really impressive."

Caroline McMartin (junior, Pella) and Megan Johnson (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) finished second and third in both the women's 1,000-meter run and mile run. McMartin clocked in at 3:04.72 and 5:11.22. It was a six-second improvement over her 1K time last year from the same meet. Johnson crossed the line in 3:11.73 and 5:22.12, respectively.

Theo Baldus (fifth year, St. Ansgar) was a runner-up in the weight throw with a mark of 51-1. He was also third in the shot put (44-11.75).

"It was good to see that out of Theo," Sturman said.
 
Central had five more top-three individual finishes on the women's side. Lindsey Davidson (Northwood, Northwood-Kensett HS) was third in the 5K in 19:45.99. Abbi Roerdink (junior, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) was second in the 600-meter run (1:41.72) while teammate Riley Packer (freshman, Erie, Ill.) was third (1:45.50).  Mary Gustason (freshman, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) was third in the 60-meter dash (8.01 seconds).. The 4x400-meter relay team of Roerdink, Abby Gruver (junior, Sully, Lynnville-Sully HS), Hadyn Miller (junior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) and Lauren Brown (junior, Underwood) was second in 4:15.21.             

"Mary has been so consistent for us," Sturman said. "She's ran that time a few times in a row now. We just need to get over the hump and break that barrier."
           
On the men's side, Reid Pakkebier (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) was second in the 60-meter hurdles (8.30 seconds), Carson Zeitler (sophomore, Milton, Davis County HS) was second in the 600-meter run (1:32.27) and Adam Sylvia (senior, Rochester, Mass., Old Rochester HS) was third in the 1,000-meter run (2:37.31).           

The full Dutch roster is at the Spartan Invitational next Saturday at the University of Dubuque. Central is also hosting a Dutch Winter Multi Meet on Thursday and Friday of next week.