Two Dutch pole vaulters compete in Des Moines

Central Dutch Athletics

DES MOINES, IOWA — Pole vaulters Tanner Johnson (freshman, Gallatin, Mo.) and Will Daniels (sophomore, Geneseo, Ill.) were the only members of the Central College men’s track and field team to compete on the final day of the Jim Duncan Invitational on Saturday.

Another round of rain washed out most events on day two at the Jim Duncan Invitational, but they were able to pole vault indoors. All marks were considered official qualifying marks for outdoor season even though they were held inside.

“It was kind of a practice day because there wasn’t much else going on up there,” associate head coach Jim Fuller said. “We were able to get some things accomplished so it was pretty useful for us.”

Johnson was the top finisher of Central’s two entrants, clearing 13-5.25 and finishing third. It was an outdoor season best for the freshman and just short of his career-best indoor mark.

“Tanner brushed off what would have been his personal best,” Fuller said. “He jumped well.”

Daniels was fourth with a clearance of 12-11.5. It was also a career-best mark for the outdoor season but just short of his all-time indoor best.

“With his last make, Will was two centimeters under his personal best,” Fuller said. “He also had some good attempts at a new personal best. He used a bigger pole today and that was important.”

Erik Olson of Drake University was the winner after clearing 13 feet, 11.25 inches.

Next weekend is busy one for the Central men’s and women’s track programs. A contingent of athletes will compete in the Decathlon (men) and heptathlon (women) at the Kansas Relays on Wednesday and Thursday. A small group of distance runners will be in Azusa, California for the Bryan Clay Invitational. The vast majority of the team will compete in a triangular with Simpson College and Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday in Indianola.