DES MOINES— Six Central College track and field relay quartets and a pair of individuals dealt with difficult weather and corresponding delays at the Drake Relays Friday.

The Dutch women were 10th in the 4x400-meter relay as Lizzy Van Utrecht (freshman, Ottumwa, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS), Ava Parkins (freshman, Monmouth, Ill., Burlington Notre Dame [Iowa] HS), Emily McMartin (sophomore, Pella) and Abbi Roerdink (senior, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) finished in 3:51.51, which is two seconds faster than their previous best.

"We knew this would be a good meet," coach Brandon Sturman said. "It was exciting to run fast. We all know we can go faster. We'll keep our heads up and go from there."

Competing in the top level of collegiate 800-meter runs at the Drake Relays, Noah Jorgenson (senior, Sidney) was sixth in 1:50.60. Kale Purcell (junior, Holton, Kan.) was sixth in the men's triple jump, reaching 49 feet, 9.5 inches.

"Noah specifically was one of the top 12 in the seeded division," Sturman said.  "It was still a really good time. Kale wasn't even on the initial acceptance list, but he got a chance to prove himself and he did well."

Jrake Van Hemert (sophomore, Pella), Noah Erickson (senior, Mount Vernon), JD Elefson (sophomore, Ankeny, North Polk HS) and Kaleb Brand (senior, Mount Vernon) first teamed up to run the 4x400-meter relay in 3:18.15, finishing 13th. The quartet ran it back in the sprint medley relay in 3:30.16 for seventh place.

Sabryn Egli (sophomore, Saint Charles, Interstate 35 HS), Van Utrecht, Abby Gruver (Sully, Lynnville-Sully HS) and Hadyn Miller (senior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) were eighth in the women's 1600 spring medley relay (4:11.10). Mary Gustason (sophomore, Marion, Linn-Mar HS), Parkins, McMartin and Olivia Bohlen (sophomore, Belle Plaine) were 12th in the 4x200-meter relay.

"That 4x200 was faster than last year and just a little off the school record," Sturman said.

Jackson Moats (senior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS), Owen Tomko (freshman, Costa Mesa, Calif., Fountain Valley HS), Mason Farrington (freshman, Ottumwa) and Brand finished their 4x200-meter relay race in 1:32.65 and finished fifth in their heat. The event was delayed due to weather after completing two of four heats and was not yet completed.

"Everybody ran really hard," Sturman said. "It's just an awesome experience to be Drake."

Central will compete in three more events Saturday morning to close out the Drake Relays.