Central’s Larson earns all-America honors

Central College

GRINNELL—Central College freshman Eric Larson (Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) concluded his indoor season Saturday with a spot on the podium at the Division III NCAA track and field championships. Larson took eighth place in the heptathlon with a personal best score of 4,749 points to garner all-America honors.

Larson sat in fifth place after the first day of competition. After a solid 60-meter hurdles mark (8.6 seconds), Larson endured a disappointing pole vault performance (10 feet, six inches), over half a foot below his seasons’ best. But he roared back in the heptathlon’s final event, the 1,000 meters, with a huge personal-best performance of 2:44.22.

“Eric had a fantastic meet,” said coach Joe Dunham. “Getting a freshman on the awards stand at nationals doesn’t happen very often. It was a great start to a great career”

Larson’s contributions placed the Dutch men in a tie for 57th place with one point, while the women’s squad finished in a tie for 32nd after Caitlin Wilson earned five points for her fourth-place finish in the pentathlon Friday.

Both Central squads will take next weekend off before opening their outdoor season at the Augustana (Ill.) Viking Olympics in Rock Island, Ill. March 23-24.

“We’re looking forward to getting the outdoor season started,” said Dunham. “The entire team has been working hard all year and the coaching staff is looking forward to being a part of their successes over the next couple months.”