Central women pace the field in regional track rankings

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — Strong performances in the first two weeks of the season has the Central College women’s track and field in the No. 1 spot in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Central Region poll.

Rankings are based off placement in the Regional Descending Order Lists. Those lists are organized by top finishes of Division III athletes of the same region in each event that will be contested at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships. The higher an athlete sits on the list, the more points he or she adds to his or her team’s total. These points do not reflect placement or scoring at the NCAA Championships, but is to show the individuals and teams that have the best chances at scoring well at a meet involving the 19 teams in the region.

Mary Gray (freshman, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) is the only athlete to have the top mark in the region in her individual event. Gray has the top-decathlon score (4,095 points) while Kiki Pingel (freshman, Pella) is second (3,978 points)

Sophomore high jumper Tori Van Velzen (Norwalk) cleared the bar at 5 feet, 3 inches has the second-best height of the season while Gillian Streit’s (freshman, Manilla, Harlan HS) discus throw of 137-11 is also the second best.

In total, 14 different athletes are ranked in the top-eight regionally across 14 different events for a total of 21 entries. The 4×100-relay and 4×400-relay teams are also in the top-eight.

Loras College is No. 2 behind Central while Nebraska Wesleyan University is third.

Central will compete at the Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake Stadium, starting Friday at 1 p.m. with the women’s hammer throw competition.