Strong start for Central track and field teams
LINCOLN, NEB. – Competing for the first time in 2024, the Central College men’s and women’s track and field teams took down some school records and won a few events amidst a talented field at the Prairie Wolf Invitational Friday.
Hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan, but at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s facility, the Prairie Wolf Invitational featured student-athletes from Division I schools like Colorado State, Sacramento State, Wichita State and Nebraska. No team scores were kept.
“It was a good first meet,” coach Brandon Sturman said. “This meet had a little more depth than it has in the past with the bigger schools, which made it harder to make finals in certain events.”
Caroline McMartin (senior, Pella) broke her first record of the indoor season by winning the women’s mile in 4 minutes, 57.40 seconds. She nipped teammate Megan Johnson (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) at the line by .47 seconds. The duo are fifth and sixth so far this season in Division III in the event.
“They did what they’ve been doing all year,” Sturman said. “They continue to improve and make their mark. They are bought into the process and focused and ready to roll.”
Addison Parrott (junior, Danville) and Peyton Steffen (sophomore, Marion) were fifth and seventh in the mile in 5:09.94 and 5:12.35, respectively. Those marks place them No. 6 and No. 8 in program history. In the women’s 1,000, McMartin, Johnson and Parrott finished 3,4,5 in 3:00.83, 3:00.92 and 3:06
Abbi Roerdink (senior, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) placed second in the 600 meters in 1:37.79, teammate Hadyn Miller (senior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) was third in 1:41.19.
“She has big goals in the 400 and we used this meet to run the 600 as a training tool,” Sturman said. “She went out at a faster pace than we planned, and she did a good job of maintaining that pace.”
Roerdink led the opening leg of the winning 4×400-meter relay that featured Emily McMartin (sophomore, Pella), Lizzy Van Utrecht (Ottumwa, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS) and Olivia Bohlen (sophomore, Belle Plaine) and clocked in at 4:04.51. Emily McMartin was seventh in the 200 meters (26.14) and Van Utretcht was seventh in the 400 (1:01.04).
Amber Vroman (junior, Seneca, Ill.) added a sixth-place finish in the pole vault after clearing 10 feet, 2 inches.
Central’s only event champion on the men’s side, Noah Jorgenson (senior, Sidney) won the 1,000 meters in 2:28.56. Teammate Joey Hovinga (sophomore, Forest City) was second in 2:46.65.
“Noah is on a roll,” Sturman said. “He came back after break strong and looks ready to build throughout the season.”
Kale Purcell (junior, Holton, Kan.) was the men’s triple jump runner-up, reaching a mark of 45-11.25.
“Even though he had two fouls, he had a really great series,” Sturman said. “There are no finals at this meet so we just get four jumps. He just missed on his two fouls and was not too far off his career best.”
Freshman Gabe Feldmann (Mount Pleasant) was the champion in the 600 meters in 1:26.72. Caleb Silver (fifth year, Conrad, BCLUW HS) was third in the men’s mile in a personal-best time of 4:21.43.
The Dutch have two events on the docket for next weekend. The Dutch Winter Multi Meet will be hosted in H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse Thursday and Friday. The majority of Central’s roster will be at the Grinnell Invitational Saturday.
“We were able to see where we are at after break today,” Sturman said. “We can regroup and gauge what we need to next. It’s all a part of the growth and training process.”
