PELLA — For the second time this season, the Central College women's team track and field squad took home the team crown at a meet by winning the Spartan Invitational hosted by the University of Dubuque Saturday.

Central topped the nine-team field with 132 points. Central previously won the Dutch Athletics Class on January 14.

"Anytime you can go into a competition and win a lot of events and score a lot of people and come out on top, it's definitely a go thing," coach Brandon Sturman said. "That's especially true for a young team like ours. It was good opportunity to make some noise and gain a little momentum as we get into the middle of our schedule."

Caroline McMartin (junior, Pella) moved into the top-20 nationally in the mile run with her winning time of 5 minutes, 04.06 seconds. Teammate Megan Johnson (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) was her closest competition at 5:13.38

"The most impressive part of Caroline's race was that she did it by herself," Sturman said. "There really wasn't anyone to run with her. She led from the beginning to the end. We're looking forward to some of our bigger meets in the coming weeks so we can solidify a national spot for her in the mile."

The freshman spring trio of Willa Sickelka (Primghar, South O'Brien HS), Emily McMartin (Pella) and Mary Gustason (Marion, Linn-Mar HS) had another outstanding day. Sickelka and McMartin went 1-2 in both the 60-meter dash (8.02 seconds and 8.03 seconds) and 200-meter dash (26.91 seconds and 27.06 seconds). Gustason was third in the 60 (8.06 seconds) and fifth in the 200 (27.44 seconds).

"It's cool to see them do that as a group," Sturman said. "We're excited for what they can do over the next four years."

Running the first indoor 800 of her career, Abbi Roerdink (junior, Tiffin, Hopewell-Loudon HS) was the winner in 2:25.11.

"She's so fit right now," Sturman said. "We've been testing her with some different distances. Hopefully, it can all culminate next week when we run our first open 400."

Roerdink, Caroline McMartin, Peyton Steffen (freshman, Marion) and Riley Packer (freshman, Erie, Ill.) were the 4x400-meter relay champions in 4:12.39.

Abby Marr (senior, Riceville) added a runner-up effort in the weight throw (54-5.25)

Central travels to the Wartburg Select meet next Friday and Saturday in Waverly.