Freshman throwers impress in Dutch women outdoor track debut
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA — An individual championship in the discus throw and a runner-up effort in the javelin throw were among the highlights for the Central College women’s outdoor track and field team Thursday afternoon at the Central Invitational.
Gillian Streit (freshman, Manilla, Harlan HS) had a stellar first outing in the discus throw, tying for the win with a distance of 134 feet, 10 inches. Kennedy Morris (freshman, Earlham) was also fourth with a mark of 123-5.
Morris competing in her first ever javelin event, was the silver medalist at 113-1.
“Gillian had a big disadvantage as a left-handed thrower in a right-handed wind,” coach Joe Dunham said. “That can be brutal for a discus thrower but she still looked really good.
“Kennedy had a great day. We were excited about her coming in and she has not disappointed. Coach Brenda Fuller has done great with all of our javelin throwers.”
Long jumpers Trenetta Blocker (senior, Chicago, Ill., Mother McAuley HS) and Holly Forrester (freshman, Manhattan, Kan., Rock Creek HS) grabbed second and seventh place, respectively. Blocker was second in 16-5.75 and Forrester was seventh in 15-1.25.
On the track, Evie Kammeyer (senior, Urbandale) completed the 1500-meter run in 5:03.08 to take third. Sophomore Lauren Moll (Faribault, Minn.) was eighth in the same race in 5:14.57. In the 400-meter run, Kate Patton (senior, Murray) finished fifth in 1:01.13.
Two Dutch 100-meter hurdlers qualified for Friday’s finals, including the top qualifier Whitney Burgardt (junior, Britt, West Hancock HS). Burgardt clocked in at 16.21 seconds while freshman Jenna Willett (Conrad, BCLUW HS) was fifth in 17.12 seconds.
“For Whitney to run like that is great,” Dunham said. “She’s put in a lot of work and we’re excited to see what she can do outdoors.”
Day two of the Central Invitational begins for the women with the heptathlon’s long jump at 9:30 a.m. Field events start at 10 a.m. with the 10,000-meter run kicking things off on the track at 10:30 a.m.
