LINCOLN, NEBRASKA—Central College's
Gavin Smith (sophomore, Audubon) put up a career-high 6,673 points and captured the javelin crown at the American Rivers men's track and field championships Friday.
After eight of the 22 events, Central is fourth overall with 50.5 points. Loras College is the day two leader with 70.5 points, narrowly ahead of Wartburg College's 69. The University of Dubuque is third with 55 while host Nebraska Wesleyan University is fifth with 30 points.
Smith was among four Dutch placewinners in another dominant showing in the decathlon, a traditional team strength.
Gage Huyser (sophomore, Pella) was third with 6,441 points while
Kale Hobart (freshman, Mason City) was fourth with 6,312 points and
Jaxon Thompson (senior, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) was sixth with 5,837 points. In Friday's decathlon events, Smith was fourth in the 110-meter hurdles (15.95 seconds), third in the discus (121 feet, 6 inches), second in the pole vault (13-3.5), first in the javelin (171-11) and fourth in the 1,500 meters (4:52.79). His efforts in the javelin and discus blew past his previous career bests.
Smith's performance puts him squarely in the conversation for an NCAA Division III meet berth.
"Gavin had a phenomenal day," coach
Brandon Sturman said. "He wasn't able to do the multi (events) like we wanted to a few weeks back but he was able to come back here this weekend at conference and put up a national-leading mark for our group and hopefully solidified himself for a spot, which is exciting," Sturman said. "
Gage Huyser also had a great day and
Kale Hobart had a PR, so all three of them set themselves up for success going into the last couple of weeks."
The unit of
Blake Creed (freshman, Washington, Mid-Prairie HS),
Adam Sylvia (5th-year, Rochester, Mass., Old Rochester HS),
Jack Brown (freshman, Norwalk) and
Kaleb Brand (senior, Mount Vernon) took second in what Sturman called a highly-competitive 4x800-meter relay in 7:40.33.
"Up until the third leg there were still five teams vying for the top spot," Sturman said. "But they ran a great race and to do it without
Noah Jorgenson (senior, Sidney), who's our best guy, was a tough task. They still did great."
The Dutch had three placewinners in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Brown was third in 9:10.66 with
Caleb Silver (5th-year, Conrad, BCLUW HS) fourth (9:21.02) and
Randy Jimenez (junior, Liberty Center, Southeast Warren HS) eighth (9:40.94).
"Anytime you can score three or four in an event, that's pretty good," Sturman said. "We really showed up well today."
Gunner Meyer (sophomore, Fairbank, Wapsie Valley HS) was fourth in the high jump (6-2).
Joey Hovinga (sophomore, Forest City) was seventh in the 10,000 meters (32:21.39).
Brand was the third-fastest qualifier in the 400 meters (48.68 seconds) with Jorgenson the No. 3 qualifier in the 800 meters (1:53.35)..
Sturman said the Dutch will have a smaller contingent in the finals Saturday but expects to have a productive one.
"Hopefully we can maximize our potential and score as many points as possible and try to hang on to fourth place," he said. "It'll be a tall task, but I think we're capable of doing it."
Field events start at 10 a.m.
