Dutch men take steps forward at Drake Relays
Central Dutch Athletics
DES MOINES— A season-best mark in the 4×400-meter relay at the Drake Relays highlighted Friday’s action for the Central College men’s track and field.
Additionally, Central had individuals competing at the Kip Janvrin Open hosted by Simpson College. There are no team scores kept at either meet.
Clocking in at 3 minutes, 27.32 seconds, the Dutch 4×400-meter relay team cut five seconds off its previous-best time this season. Caleb Jennings (senior, Spirit Lake), Kyle Pape (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS), Carter Tryon (freshman, Winterset) and Cory Suedmeier (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) finished 38th. Emporia State University (Kan.) won the race in 3:11.50
“We just have been able to run our A team all year,” coach Brandon Sturman said. “It wasn’t an amazing time, but we were able to get a decent time and hopefully we can put it all together at conference.”
Switching out Pape with Brock Lewis (sophomore, Lathrop, Mo.), the 4×100-meter relay team was 29th in 43.68 seconds. Lincoln University (Mo.) was first in 41.08 seconds.
“We’re running well individually,” Sturman said. “We’ve got to solidify the handoffs. We’re right there and we’ll continue to work on it.”
Kip Janvrin Open
Taking over the No. 5 spot on Central’s historical pole vault list, Will Daniels (junior, Geneseo, Ill.) cleared 14 feet, 9 inches. Tanner Johnson (sophomore, Gallatin, Mo.) was ninth at 12-9.5
“The pole vault has been a big focus of his this year,” Sturman said. “He can really raise the bar in the decathlon if he can hit that same mark again.”
Daniels was also sixth in the 110-meter hurdles in 15.38 seconds.
Bryant Seuferer (junior, Milo, Southeast Warren HS) was ninth in the 1,500-meter run, running a new personal best of 4:04.03.
“That’s a big run for him,” Sturman said. “It’s really good to see him get closer to the four-minute barrier.
In the high jump, Drake Lewis (junior, Lathrop, Mo.) was fourth (6-4.75) while his brother Brock reached 43-4.25 in the triple jump.
In Thursday’s throwing events, Nathan Fitzgerald (senior, Elkader, Central HS) was seventh in the discus throw (154-6) and hammer throw (144-4). Theo Baldus (freshman, St. Ansgar) was eighth in the discus throw (148-11).
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.
