WAVERLY — The Central College men's and women's track and field teams were in action at the Liz Wuertz Invitational hosted by Wartburg College Saturday to put their final qualifying marks in ahead of the American Rivers Conference Championships.

No team scores were kept in the seven-team meet. Several key contributors for the Dutch either did not compete or were limited in anticipation of next weekend's conference meet.

Kale Purcell (senior, Holton, Kan.) improved upon his career-best mark in the men's triple jump, winning with a measurement of 48 feet, 5.25 inches on his sixth attempt. He's now just an inch short of breaking the school record.

 "It took him all six jumps to get there," coach Brandon Sturman said. "When he doesn't get a mark he wants, he's able to reset himself and stay motivated."

Connor Miklos (fifth year, Lockport, Ill., Providence Catholic HS) had a pair of runner-up efforts with career-best times in both events. He finished the 60-meter dash in 7.02 seconds and the 60-meter hurdles in 8.23 seconds.

"He wants to break seven seconds in the 60 now," Sturman said. "I think its something he can do really do."

Reid Pakkebier (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) won the 60-meter hurdles in 8.20 seconds and Jack Brown (sophomore, Norwalk) won the 3,000 meters in 8:28.04.

Women's pole vaulter Amber Vroman (senior, Seneca, Ill.) reset her own school record twice Saturday, finishing first after clearing 11-6.25

"She could have kept going but we decided to shut her down and save her legs for next week," Sturman said. "It's a great week to PR. Any momentum you can build going into next week helps a lot."

The women's distance medley relay team of Addison Parrott (senior, Danville), Emily McMartin (junior, Pella), Alivia Roerdink (sophomore, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) and Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion) won in a time of 11:52.93.

"We threw it together at the last minute," Sturman said. "It was a good effort and everyone ran well, we just need to run better to get to nationals."
 
Ava Parkins (sophomore, Monmouth, Ill., Burlington Notre Dame [Iowa] HS) had personal-best times in both the women's 60 meters (7.78 seconds) and 400 meters (58.82 seconds). She was second in the 400 and only ran in the prelims of the 60.
The American Rivers Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships start Friday in Waverly.
 
Top-eight finishes - women
400 meters – 2. Ava Parkins 58.52; 4. Lizzy Van Utrecht, 59.95
800 meters – 2. Riley Packer, 2:24.96
Mile – 2. Teah Miller, 5:19.86
3000 meters – 6. Annika Kruse, 11:03.57
4x400 relay – 2. Central A, 4:05.85
Distance medley relay – 1. Central A, 11:52.93
60-meter hurdles – 2. Olivia Bohlen, 8.96; 7. Paige Davis, 10.15
Triple jump – 7. Ella Jumper, 30-4.25
Pole vault – 1. Amber Vroman, 11-6.25; 2. Kylie Meyer, 9-4.25
 
Top-eight finishes - men
60 meters – 2. Connor Miklos, 7.02
800 meters – 5. Jack Every, 1:58.45
Mile – 4. Mason Back, 4:21.39; 6. William Wadsley, 4:22.88
3000 meters – 1. Jack Brown, 8:28.04; 3. Derek Webster, 8:40.62
60-meter hurdles – 1. Reid Pakkebier, 8.20; 2. Connor Miklos, 8.23; 3. Kale Hobart, 8.23; 6. Zeke Nelson, 8.96
Weight throw – 7. Alex Zarlatanes, 50-00.75
Long jump – 2. Owen Tomko, 20-9.25
Triple jump – 1. Kale Purcell, 48-5.25; 3. Jackson Tavegia, 42-3.25
Pole vault – 2. TJ DiSessa, 14-1.25; 3. Gage Huyser, 14-1.25; 4. Alex Miller, 12-7.50
High jump – 3. Lance Bunde, 6-3.25; 6. Ross Kusel, 5-11.25
Shot put – 5. Sam Stoecker, 43-1