Short-handed Central men’s track squad competes at Simpson

Central Dutch Athletics

INDIANOLA — With several key components of the Central College men’s track and field team

having already competed at different meets this week, the Dutch were the third-place team at a triangular hosted by Simpson College Saturday.

The Central men had 109 points while Nebraska Wesleyan University won with 161 points. Simpson was the runner-up with 123.

“The score is a little misleading because we were missing some good athletes,” associate head coach Jim Fuller said. “It gave some of other athletes an opportunity to score some points. Those kinds of things pay off in the end of the season at the conference meet in a few weeks.”

Senior distance runner Tanner Rathje (senior, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) swept the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 800-meter run in times of 9 minutes, 38.82 seconds and 1:57.91.

Tanner really improved his PR in the steeple by cutting another seven seconds off,” Fuller said. “For him to come back and win the half, I was really impressed with what he did.”

Justin Wimbish (senior, Glendale, Ariz., Apollo HS) continues to rebound from injuries that derailed his indoor season, winning the 100-meter dash in 11.09 seconds. He also took a silver in the long jump (21 feet, 9.50 inches).

“He looked pretty good today,” Fuller said. “His 100 time was pretty legit and it’s been awhile since he’s really sprinted. It’s been a long process of getting him healthy and it’s good to see him getting back to the events he is good at it.”

The shot put title went to Nathan Fitzgerald (junior, Elkader, Central HS) with a toss of 49-7.75. He added a second-place finish in the discus throw (154-2).

Seniors Hunter Howe (La Plata, Mo.) and Blake Morgan (senior, Story City, Roland-Story HS) went 2-3 in the 400-meter dash with times of 50.64 seconds and 50.78 seconds

The Dutch track teams will be spread around the Des Moines area next weekend. The majority of the team will be back in Indianola for the Kip Janvrin Open while some will be at the Drake Relays in Des Moines.