Central climbs to 2nd and 7th in track rankings

Central College

PELLA—Central College’s men’s track and field team improved two spots to No. 2 in the Division III U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association outdoor power rankings. The women’s squad jumped to No. 7 after being listed at No. 12 last week.

The men captured the team trophy for their second straight week at the Washington Univ. (Mo.) Select Meet. The squad racked up 179 points with nine event titles. The Dutch had one NCAA automatic qualifying mark (400 meters) and two provisional finishes (4×100-meter relay, shot put).

The Dutch women finished third with 116 points, claiming four event titles and surpassing the NCAA provisional qualifying standard in four events (hammer throw, 200 meters, 4×400-meter relay, 4×100 relay). School records were shattered in the hammer throw (164-5) and the 200 meters (24.68 seconds).

Three athletes received Iowa Conference performer of the week honors. Matt Graber (senior, Newton) was tabbed the field events athlete and Kyle Wood (junior, Newton) earned track events recognition. Felicia Coleman (sophomore, Houston, Texas, J. Frank Dobie HS) was recognized as the women’s track events recipient.