Central women have success at Drake Relays
Central Dutch Athletics
DES MOINES — The Central College women’s track and field team improved upon season-best marks and ran faster than important bench marks in the 4×100 and 4×400-meter relays at the Drake Relays on Friday.
Additionally, Central had individuals competing at the Kip Janvrin Open hosted by Simpson College. There are no team scores kept at either meet.
Ally Woods (sophomore, Milan, Ill., Rockridge HS), Holly Forrester (sophomore, Manhattan, Kan. Rock Creek HS), Sarah Christopher (freshman, Pontiac, Ill.) and Lynzie Miller (senior, Des Moines, Lincoln HS) went under 50 seconds in the 4×100, placing 25th of 34 in 49.91 seconds.
“We’ve been talking about breaking 50 seconds for the last few weeks and we got it done today,” coach Brandon Sturman said. “It was good to do it on a big stage like Drake.”
In the 4×400, Kiki Pingel (sophomore, Pella), Christopher, Miller and Mary Gray (sophomore, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) broke four minutes, finishing 26th out of 28 in 3:59.95
“Breaking four minutes was the goal and they went out there and did it,” Sturman said. “I think all four girls are getting better and getting into prime shape.”
Lincoln University (Mo.) won both in 46.38 seconds (4×100) and 3:36.25 (4×400)
The Drake Relays is the only event Central will run the sprint medley relay all season, Woods, Krissa Larson (freshman, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS), Pingel and Miranda Kruiswyk (freshman, Dunlap, Ill.) were 17th in 4:18.40
Kip Janvrin Open
High jumper Tori Van Velzen (junior, Cumming, Norwalk HS) became the ninth female to clear 5 feet, 5 inches in Central’s history. She placed third in the event.
“I think it’s really good for her to finally hit that mark,” Sturman said. “She’s been really consistent and now she knows she can do it. Hopefully she can continue to jump higher.”
Leaping 36-7.75., Holly Forrester (sophomore, Manhattan, Kan., Rock Creek HS) was sixth in the triple jump
“Holly jumped well,” Sturman said. “She didn’t hit a new PR but she made finals in a good field with a lot of bigger schools.”
During Thursday’s throwing events, Emily Burt (junior, Freeport, Ill.) was the runner-up in the shot put with a heave of 41-2.5 Kennedy Morris (sophomore, Earlham) has a pair of top-six finishes in the discus throw and hammer throw. She was fifth in the hammer throw (146-3) and sixth in the discus throw (133-4).
On Saturday at the Drake Relays, the Dutch men will have a team entered in the distance medley relay. On the women’s side, Central will contest the 4×200-meter relay and the shuttle hurdle relay
