WAVERLY— In its final tune-up before the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships next weekend, the Central College men's and women's track and field teams both took second at a triangular hosted by Wartburg College Friday.

Central's women had 108.5 points, trailing Wartburg's total of 232.5. The Dutch men had 99 points while Wartburg won with 262 points.

"We decided to do a small triangular this weekend in order for us to focus on just a few things to get ready for the conference meet," coach Brandon Sturman said. "We were able to accomplish a lot with good weather and good competition against Wartburg and Simpson."

Running the fastest time in the American Rivers Conference so far this season, Kaleb Brand (senior, Mount Vernon) won the men's 400-meter dash in 47.91 seconds. That mark is also 23rd on the national qualifying list.

"We knew he had potential last year when he joined us but we focused on progressing him a little slower this year," Sturman said. "I think he can drop another half a second and maybe qualify for the national meet."

Brand also anchored the runner-up squad in the men's 4x40-meter relay in a time of 3 minutes, 17.89 seconds. Alongside Noah Erickson (senior, Mount Vernon), JD Elefson (sophomore, Ankeny, North Polk HS) and Jrake Van Hemert (sophomore, Pella), Central cracked the top-50 list nationally.

Megan Johnson (senior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) and Caroline McMartin (senior, Pella) took first and third in the women's 1,500 meters in 4:29.41 and 4:30.85, respectively. The duo are now No.9 and No. 13 on the national qualifier list.

"Those two have been doing it all year and they were able to push each other through the race," Sturman said. "It's exciting to see them develop and get faster so hopefully they can keep it going."

Gunner Meyer (sophomore, Fairbank, Wapsie Valley HS) and Nolan Meyer (sophomore, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) finished first and second in the men's high jump after clearing 6 foot, 5 inches and 6-3.25, respectively. The duo are No. 4 and No. 6 on the conference performance list.

"Today was a good day for him and he also had some good attempts at a national qualifying mark," Sturman said. "We took a little break from high jump this spring and focused on hurdles. We'd rather see him peak at the end of the season when it matters the most."
           
Mary Gustason (sophomore, Marion, Linn-Mar HS), Abbi Roerdink (senior, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS), Emily McMartin (sophomore, Pella) and Ava Parkins (freshman, Monmouth, Ill., Burlington Notre Dame [Iowa] HS) were second in the women's  4x100-meter relay in 47.99 seconds and are now No. 38 nationally.
           
Amber Vroman (junior, Seneca, Ill.) won the women's pole vault and now has the best mark among league athletes this season at 11-0.25.
           
"She was the only person who vaulted today so she was able to pick her heights and her progression," Sturman said.  "She was able to set herself up for success and have momentum going into conference."
           
Other event champions on the women's side were Gustason in the 100-meter dash (12.64 seconds), Peyton Steffen (sophomore Marion) in the 800-meter run (2:13.35), Kate Hoogensen (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (11:47.29), and Roerdink, Parkins, Emily McMartin and Hadyn Miller (senior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) in the 4x400-meter relay (3:54.06). Kale Purcell (junior, Holton, Kan.) in the triple jump was Central's only other men's event champion in 47-1.5.

The three-day American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships are set to start next Thursday in Lincoln, Nebraska for the decathlon and heptathlon. The rest of the action starts Friday and runs into Saturday.