DECORAH — Brody Klein's (junior, Rainier, Wash.) decathlon title highlighted four all-conference performers for the Central College men's track and field team Friday at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

In the team standings with eight of 22 events scored, Central is fourth with 46 points. Wartburg College leads the way with 80 points.

Klein racked up 6,587 points over 10 events to win the decathlon. He had the best discus throw and pole vault in the field. His pole vault set a new decathlon championship meet record.

"It was a phenomenal start to the weekend for him," coach Brandon Sturman said. "The pole vault really helped him but he put up big numbers in every event he did. He solidified a trip to New York for nationals."

Lucas Heitz (senior, Adel, ADM HS) moved up from No. 6 to take the runner-up position with 6,251 points. He had the best 110-meter hurdles mark in the field in 15.08 seconds.

"He overcame some adversity from day one to get to the podium," Sturman said. "He's still in the fight for nationals and hopefully it will work out for him."

Gavin Smith (freshman, Audubon) finished fourth in the decathlon with 6,063 points and Reid Pakkebier (sophomore, Cedar Rapids Kennedy HS) was sixth with 5,988 points.
           
One of two runners to break the conference championship meet record on the day, Caleb Silver (senior, Conrad, BCLUW HS) took second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9:02.28.
           
"This race was more about finish than it was about time," Sturman said. "The lead pack was pretty far in front of the rest of the field and they were able to run a different type of race because they are doubling back tomorrow in other events."
           
Theo Baldus (fifth year, St. Ansgar) gave Central a fourth all-conference finish, taking third in the discus throw (148-1).
           
"I'm super proud of him," Sturman said. "They all had to battle the weather and he found a throw to get him on the podium."
           
High jumper Sam Beatty (senior, Mount Pleasant) shared fourth place after clearing 6-6.25. Joey Hovinga (freshman, Forest City) chipped in a point with an eighth-place finish in the 10,000-meter run (32:16.98).

In the 800-meter run prelims, Noah Jorgenson (junior, Sidney) had a school-record time of 1:50.91 and the second-fastest qualifying time.

"Noah had a tough indoor season," Sturman said. "He kept his head down and put in the work and it paid off today. He ran his heart out."

Other runners to qualify for Saturday's final during Friday's preliminary heats were Grant Miller (freshman, Norwalk) in the 110-meter hurdles (fourth, 14.74 seconds) and Kaleb Brand (junior, Mount Vernon) in the 400-meter dash (sixth, 49.05 seconds).

The third and final day of the competition starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.