Stuht sizzles at Darren Young Classic
Central College
GRINNELL — Returning to the sight of her All-American performance a year ago, Lorell Stuht (senior, Loveland, Colo.) turned in a season-best performance in the weight throw for the Central College women’s track and field team at the Darren Young Classic on Saturday.
In the team standings, Central placed fifth with 54 points. Nebraska Wesleyan won the team competition with 164 points.
A season-best toss in the weight throw of 55 feet, 9.75 inches was more than enough for Stuht to take the top spot. She bested the field by over six feet.
“I mentioned to Coach Walz about how Grinnell was the place that got her going last year,” associate head coach Jim Fuller said. “I think she’s pleased to be back over 17 meters. Hopefully, it leads to good things over the next couple of weeks for her.”
Blazing around the track twice in 57.75 seconds, Hope Heitman (sophomore, Guttenberg, Clayton Ridge HS) turned in the nation’s 10th-best time in the 400-meter dash. She placed second in that race and in the 200-meter dash (26.06).
“I’m pretty sure (Heitman’s 400-meter dash time) gives her a reasonable chance to qualify for the national meet,” Fuller said. “She had a good day today.”
Fellow sprinter Kate Patton (junior, Murray) placed fourth in the 60-meter dash (8.04) and fifth in the 200-meter dash (26.77).
She set the meet record in the 3,000 meters, but Rachel Peter (sophomore, Prairie City, PCM HS) still came in second in a time of 10 minutes, 31.05 seconds. Gabi Wilson (senior, Urbandale, Des Moines Christian HS) was sixth in 11:05.82.
The distance medley relay consisting of Andie Arthofer (senior, Dubuque), Lyznie Miller (sophomore, Des Moines, Lincoln HS), Kasey Wiedmaier (senior, Indianola) and Lauren Moll (freshman, Faribault, Minn.) placed third in 14:13.94.
A pair of competitions await the Dutch next weekend as they host the Central Invitational Friday night and a select group will take part in the Iowa Open on Saturday.
