Dutch women roll past the Storm in track dual
Central College
PELLA — Winning six of 11 events, the Central College women’s track and field team rolled past Simpson College Friday night in a 55.5-51.5 dual victory.
It was the final full-team competition for the Dutch before next weekend’s Iowa Conference Indoor Championships.
“This meet is designed to give us a final tune-up before the conference meet,” coach Joe Dunham said. “I think we got that accomplished.”
Emma Drees (senior, Waukee) picked up a pair of individual wins for Central, winning the 60-meter hurdles in a career-best time of 9.66 seconds after winning the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 5 inches.
“She had a good day,” Dunham said. “That was a nice PR for her in the hurdles.”
Moving further up the national list, Lorell Stuht (senior, Loveland, Colo.) won the weight throw with ease. Her toss of 57 feet, 2.25 inches topped the field by over 17 feet.
“She put herself in the conversation for the national meet,” Dunham said. “She may need to throw a little bit further so we’re going to keep pressing.”
Taking eight seconds off of her personal best, Ashley Meldrum (freshman, Cambridge/Ballard HS) took the title in the mile with a time of 6:14.51.
“She looked fantastic,” Dunham said. “She’s starting to gain her confidence and getting better each week. I’m really excited for her outdoor season, I think it’s going to be good.”
Central’s seniors anchored the 800-meter run as Kasey Wiedmaier (Indianola) and Andie Arthofer (Dubuque) placed 1-2 in times of 2:32.04 and 2:33.26, respectively.
Freshman Brianna Carlson (Altoona, Iowa/Appleton West HS) eclipsed her season best in the 400-meter dash, winning in 1:03.68.
A dozen Central athletes will take part in the University of Iowa Open Saturday, where they will compete on the “fastest track in the world.” It’s a one-of-a-kind surface that was previously used at the 2016 Indoor World Championships in Portland, Oregon before being purchased by Iowa.
