Fast times on day one in Boston
Central College
PELLA — High-caliber competition and a fast track helped boost Central College track and field athletes to impressive times, including a school record Friday at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational hosted by Boston University.
Competing at the Track and Tennis Center on the campus of Boston University against a slew of top competition from around the country provided ample opportunity for Central’s athletes to excel.
Last year’s runner up in Division III in the 60 meters, Abi Davis (junior, West Des Moines, Iowa, Dowling Catholic HS) made her season debut in the event Friday, finishing 10th in 7.76 seconds.
“It was exciting to see Abi run a good time in the 60 meters her first time out,” coach Joe Dunham said. “She’s a little ahead of where she was last year which is good.”
Davis also finished 75th of 228 in the 200 meters in 25.82.
The 400 meter record that Davis set last Saturday was broken Friday by teammate Allie McBroom (senior, Runnells, Iowa, Southeast Polk HS). McBroom’s time of 58.04 is almost a two-second improvement from her previous career best. McBroom took 41st out of 151 competitors. Shameal Samuels of Division 1 Quinnipiac (Conn.) won the event in 54.16.
“Allie got out too slow in the 400 and it came back to get her in the end,” Dunham said. “But she knows what to do and I’m confident she will take care of business when it counts. To be the fastest open 400 runner in the history of our school is an amazing accomplishment.”
Hillary Hotz (senior, Fort Dodge, Iowa, St. Edmond HS) finished in a tie for 14th in the high jump with a leap of five feet, three inches. She was the top Division III competitor in the field.
“Hillary had big jumps in her today but couldn’t quite put it together,” Dunham said. “This was a really good experience for her and I think she will peak at the right time.”
In the only men’s event of the day, the quartet of Jamie Vander Veer (senior, Harvey, Iowa, Knoxville HS), Spencer Hammack (junior, Ottumwa), Drew Jackson (senior, Johnston), and Eli Horton (senior, Runnells, Iowa, Southeast Polk HS) took fourth in the distance medley relay at 9:55.92. Villanova University (Pa.) won the event in 9:27.04, the third best time in NCAA history. Horton and Hammack were a part of last year’s Division III national championship team in the event. This year’s group has work to do if it wants to become repeat champions.
“We are probably four seconds from qualifying in the event, so we will have to run it again,” Dunham said. “I was really proud of their effort though. All four guys had great splits and I’m confident we will be ready to go when we run it again.”
Day two of competition begins for the Dutch Saturday morning at 10:40 a.m. when Vander Veer and Jackson take part in the 800 meters.
