PELLA — Competing in its toughest meet of the season, the Central College men's and women's track and field team had two individuals crack the national top 10 of their individual events Saturday at the Wartburg Select.

As a team, the Dutch women were third and the men were fifth. Wartburg was the team champion for both genders. Loras College and Wartburg have top-20 teams on both the women's and men's side.

"It was definitely one of the most competitive meets we've been at this year," coach Brandon Sturman said. "It was a really great experience for us as we prepare for confidence in terms of the atmosphere and the talent pool."
           
McMartin runs into the record book -- Caroline McMartin (junior, Pella) cut 20 seconds off her career-best time in the 3,000-meter run, setting a new school record in 9 minutes, 52.90 seconds. She's the first Central woman to get under 10 minutes.

"It was an amazing race," Sturman said. "She executed the race plan perfectly She hung in there with the lead pack and believed in herself. I couldn't be more excited for her moving forward."

Also in the 3000, Megan Johnson (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) was fourth in 10:18.40 and Addison Parrott (sophomore, Danville) was fifth in 10:42.77
           
Cali Coffman (senior, Leawood, Kan., Blue Valley HS) was Central's lone winner on the women's side, taking the pole vault with a clearance of 9 feet, 8.5 inches. Amber Vroman (sophomore, Seneca, Ill.) was second after clearing the same height but on more attempts.
           
"Most teams in our league aren't very deep in the pole vault," Sturman said. "Having two women capable of going 1-2 in that event is going to help us at the conference meet."
           
Coming off her second-place outing Friday in the pentathlon, Olivia Bohlen (freshman, Belle Plaine) was second in the 60-meter hurdles in 9.25 seconds. Other top-five individuals for the Dutch women were Abbi Roerdink (junior, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) in 400-meter dash (fourth, 1:00.00), Peyton Stefffen (freshman, Marion) in the 800-meter run (fourth, 2:23.14) and Emily McMartin (freshman, Pella) in the 200-meter run (fifth, 26.60)
 
Beatty No. 2 nationally in high jump -- Sam Beatty (senior, Mount Pleasant) improved his season-best mark in the high jump 6 feet, 9.5 inches in a winning performance. He's No. 2 in Division III this season and tied for seventh in program history.
           
"He hit a qualifying mark early so he's really been able to work on some little things," Sturman said. "He took what he's been practicing and put it into a meet atmosphere."
           
Taking fifth in the 60-meter hurdles, Connor Miklos (junior, Lockport, Ill., Providence Catholic HS) crossed the line in 8.61 seconds.
           
"Connor is running very well," Sturman said. "Sometimes, when you are in such a talented field times go out the window and it is all about competition and doing your best at that moment."
           
In the heptathlon, Grant Miller (freshman, Norwalk) finished fourth with 4,100 points and Gavin Smith (freshman, Audubon) was fifth with 4,023 points. Noah Jorgenson (junior, Sidney) added a sixth-place finish in the mile (4:24.20) and Caleb Silver (senior, Conrad, BCLUW HS) was seventh in the 3,000-meter run (8:51.66)
           
The majority of Central's team is headed to the Darren Young Classic at Grinnell next Saturday. A small group of distance runners are headed to Boston University for the David Hemery Valentine Valentine Invitational.