Dutch track and field squads remain in national rankings

Central College

PELLA — The Central College women’s and men’s track and field squads were not aided by their impressive performances over the weekend, dropping several spots in the USTFCCA National Team Computer Rankings.

On the women’s side, the Dutch fell two spots from the preseason rankings, coming in at No. 12 this week. Central took a runner-up finish at the Cornell Invitational Saturday, winning five events. Massachusetts Institute of Technology held on to the top spot in the rankings and the top nine all remained the same. St. Lawrence (N.Y.) had the biggest jump, moving from No. 20 to No. 10. The Dutch women are the only Iowa Conference members ranked in the top 25.

The Dutch men dropped three spots this week, going from No. 18 to No. 21 after taking the team title at the Cornell Invitational. Central was victorious in four events Saturday, including both relays. Wis.-La Crosse stayed atop the rankings, but a new No. 2 team emerged, as Wis.-Eau Claire jumped from No 4 into the second slot. No other conference schools join Central in the top 25.

Central will host the Dutch Athletics Classic Friday and Saturday in H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse. Events will begin at 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.