Pape kicks off Central’s Drake Relays weekend

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — In the first event of what will be a busy weekend at the Drake Relays for the Central College track and field team, men’s 800-meter runner Kyle Pape (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) finished 16th Thursday night.

Pape crossed the line 1:54.15 to place 16th out of 27 runners in the field. His first lap of 55.37 seconds was the 10th best in the field, but an incident in front of him cost Pape time and several spots in the results.

“He was in great positon with 200 meters to go,” associate head coach Joe Fuller said. “A runner from the University of Minnesota fell right in front of him and he had to hurdle him. He lost all of his momentum because of that hurdle.”

Pape finished fifth of seven Division III runners in the field. Riley Bauer of South Dakota State University was the winner in 1:51.50

It was the third-fastest 800 for Pape but his fastest outside of California. He ran his personal best of 1:52.88 at last year’s Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California and 1:53.52 last weekend at the same meet.

“I was happy with his effort,” Dunham said. “He was ready for a big race today.”

Friday at the Drake Relays, there will be six different Central relay teams in action. For both the men’s and women’s teams, the 4×100-meter relay, 4×400-meter relay and sprint medley relay will be in action.

Saturday, 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.