National track meets open for Dutch athletes
Central Dutch Athletics
BOSTON, MASS. — Defending national champion Will Daniels (junior, Geneseo, Ill.) is out to an early heptathlon lead after the first day of the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships as three other Central College track and field athletes made their debuts Friday.
With 3,203 points, Daniels has a 102-point lead over Justin Canedy of Johns Hopkins University (Md.) in second-place (3,101). The third-place athlete, Charles Moody of the University of Southern Maine, has 2,780.
“He’s going into day two as the leader with two of his strongest events coming up,” coach Brandon Sturman said. “Hopefully he can separate himself from the field.”
Daniels had the top shot put (42 feet, 9.5 inches), high jump (6-9.5) and 60-meter dash (6.98). His long jump (22-5.25) was third in the 20-man field.
Though none of his four events on Friday were career-best efforts, all four are ahead of pace compared to what he did on February 1-2 at the Wartburg Select. The Wartburg Select is where he set the all-tine NCAA Division III record of 5,441
On tired legs after his four heptathlon events, Daniels only could clear 6-5.5 and finished 16th in the open high jump.
“There was a scheduling change earlier this week and they moved the high jump times around,” Sturman said. “He’d been in the facility and sitting around all day and didn’t get as much rest in between. That’s what happens when you try to double up.”
Kyle Pape (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) clocked the fourth fastest 800-meter run in program history, taking 13th in a time of 1:53.92. He came in seeded No. 20.
“It was a super competitive race,” Sturman said. “They were rubbing and racing and he got tripped up twice. It was a good day for him overall.”
The best throw was the last one for Kennedy Morris (sophomore, Earlham) in the weight throw. The sophomore measured at 53 feet, 6.5 inches to place 13th out of 20. She improved by seven inches on her final effort, moving up five spots.
“She’s still young,” Sturman said. “She’ll hopefully a few more opportunities to compete at this level. She’ll learn from today and be more mentally ready next time.”
Contesting her second pentathlon in three weeks, Mary Gray (sophomore, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) compiled 3,166 points to finish 17th. Her only new personal-best mark was in the shot put, reaching 33 feet, 6 inches
“It’s the same for Mary,” Sturman said. “The difference between the pentathlon at this meet and some of our regular meets is the scheduling. It’s more systematic at those meets where the breaks here can be very long. She just needs to get used to some of those difficulties.”
Day two for Daniels starts at 10 a.m. (EST) with the 60-meter hurdles. Women’s high jumper Courtney Kruthoff (sophomore, Erie, Ill.) will compete at 11 a.m.
