WAVERLY — For the fifth time this season the Central College women's track and field squad set a new school record on the track, this time in the distance medley relay at the Wartburg Final Qualifier Friday night.
           
Megan Johnson (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS), Abbi Roerdink (junior, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS), Peyton Steffen (freshman, Marion) and Caroline McMartin (junior, Pella) finished in 11 minutes, 54.32 seconds to win the event and improve the school record mark by 28 seconds. That effort has them strongly in contention for a trop to the national meet.
            "
We're pretty sure that they are going to get in," coach Brandon Sturman said. "They are sitting in eighth place and the top 12 teams get in."
           
Running second, Roerdink clocked a 57.53 400-meter split to help Central keep pace with Loras College's Alyssa Pfadenhauer, the defending indoor national champion in the 400. McMartin anchored Central with 4:59.78 1600-meter run to give Central the win by three seconds.
           
Freshman Olivia Bohlen (Belle Plaine) finished second in the heptathlon, totaling 3,205 points. She moved into No. 10 on Central's all-time list but the score is likely not enough to get into the national meet.

"I think she's happy that she decided to do it again," Sturman said. "It's good to see her get another PR and get on the top 10 board."

Junior Jaxon Thompson (Marion, Linn-Mar HS) is sitting in sixth place after the first day of the men's heptathlon with 2,500 points.

The second day of the Wartburg Final Qualifier starts with field events at 10 a.m. and running events at noon.