PELLA — Competing against the strongest field of athletes at the Dutch Invitational in years, the Central College track and field team had four individual champions Friday.
Friday's meet featured athletes from 14 different schools across all levels of college athletics. NCAA Division I schools Iowa State University and Drake University were in attendance as well as NCAA Division II power house Northern State University (S.D.). Other schools were from NCAA Division III, NAIA, NJCAA and NCCAA programs. There were no team scores kept at the meet.
"It was a great experience for our team," "This was a smaller week than our first meet but I think the talent level was a little better. We fed off the great weather and had some big marks.
An incredible run of record-setting performances continued for
Caroline McMartin (junior, Pella) in the women's 1,500-meter run. She won the race in 4 minutes, 35.92 seconds. Teammate
Megan Johnson (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) was 3rd in 4:45.55. McMartin was also second in the 800 in 2:18.25
"I don't know what else to say about her," Sturman said. "She's on fire and continues to impress as coaches. She's put in a lot of hard work and commitment to the training."
Noah Jorgenson (junior, Sidney) was the winner of the men's 3,000-meter race in 8:42.61.
Adam Sylvia (senior, Rochester, Mass., Old Rochester HS) was the runner-up in the 3000 meters in 8:42.81
"We're trying to build some fitness and confidence with Noah," Sturman said. "Hopefully he can build off of this moving forward."
Kale Purcell (sophomore, Holton, Kan.) won the men's triple jump with a mark of 45 feet, 5 inches. The Dutch basketball player is just getting into the swing of track and field season.
"He just needed some practice and jumps under his belt," Sturman said. "He was able to get a big one on his last attempt. The more he gets to jump, the better shape we can get him in."
Kate Hoogensen (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) was Central's fourth individual champion, winning the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase in 12:11.79.
Layken Bytnar (junior, Bettendorf) was second in 12:22.85.
Sam Beatty (senior, Mount Pleasant) tied for second in the men's high jump with a clearance of 6-6.75.
Derek Webster (sophomore, Norwalk) was second in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:02.20.
Lucas Heitz (senior, Adel, ADM HS) and
Reid Pakkebier (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) both cracked the program's top-10 list and the 15-second mark in the men's 110-meter hurdles, both crossing the line in 14.93 seconds. Heitz would finish fourth and Pakkebier would finish fifth.
"That whole hurdles crew is really shaping up," Sturman said. "Those are some fast times."
Amber Vroman (sophomore, Seneca, Ill.) moved up to No. 4 in program history in the women's pole vault, clearing 10-6.
Central will have athletes at three different meets next weekend, the Kansas Relays, the Cornell Invitational and the Jim Duncan Invitational hosted by Drake University.
