Two podium finishes for Dutch women at national track meet
ROCHESTER, N.Y.- A pair of strong finishes helped the Central College women’s track and field team get on the podium twice at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday.
Addison Parrott (senior, Danville), Emily McMartin (junior, Pella), Alivia Roerdink (sophomore, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) and Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion) completed the distance medley relay in 11 minutes, 50.24 seconds to earn a seventh-place finish. It’s the third year in a row the Dutch women have had an All-American squad in the DMR.
“It wasn’t the time we wanted but sometimes that’s part of being at the national meet,” coach Brandon Sturman said. “It was awesome for those women and Peyton ran a heck of a mile to close it.”
Olivia Bohlen (junior, Belle Plaine) closed out the fifth event of the pentathlon strong and leapt into eighth place for first team All-American honors. She shaved nearly six seconds off her career-best time to complete the 800 meters in 2:24.45. Her total was also a career-high, 3,547 points.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what she’s accomplished,” Sturman said. “It was heck of an 800 to get her on the podium for the second year in a row in the pentathlon.”
Through the first four events of the men’s heptathlon, Kale Hobart (sophomore, Mason City) is ninth with 2,795 points and Reid Pakkebier (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) is 13th with 2,717 points.
“They had some ups and downs like you normally do in a multi,” Sturman said. “Day two is what usually makes or breaks people getting on the podium so hopefully they’ve set themselves up for success tomorrow.”
In the men’s mile prelims, Jack Brown (sophomore, Norwalk) qualified for Saturday’s final by finishing third in the second heat in a time of 4:13.22
“He ran a great race,” Sturman said. “The second heat got out slow and he had to be focused and composed. He stayed locked in and was able to find some room at the end and make a move.”
Gunner Meyer (junior, Fairbank, Wapsie Valley HS) qualified seventh for tomorrow’s 60-meter hurdles final with a time of 8.03 seconds. Grant Miller (junior, Norwalk) missed the finals but his time of 8.16 seconds placed him 13th and a second team All-American.
“We’re excited Gunner was able to qualify,” Sturman said. “He ran a great race and kept pace with some of the fast guys from Rowan. Grant ran well but it’s a national meet and sometimes it just takes a little extra. He had a great season, the opportunity to get here was awesome.”
Central College NCAA Championships schedule of events
Saturday, March 15
10 a.m. – men’s heptathlon (60-meter hurdles)
11:20 a.m. – men’s heptathlon (pole vault)
2:30 p.m. – men’s triple jump
3 p.m. – men’s 60-meter hurdles (finals)
4 p.m. – men’s mile (finals)
4:45 p.m. – men’s heptathlon (1000 meters)
6 p.m. – women’s 3,000-meter run
