Central College is the early leader by a narrow margin in the Iowa Conference women’s and men’s track and field championships following the start of competition on Friday. The two-time defending champion Dutch men’s squad has 75 points to Wartburg’s 60.5, while the Central women have an early 58.5 to 50 lead on heavily-favored Wartburg.
Leading the way on the women’s side were Jill Ziskovsky and Morgan Darrow. Ziskovsky claimed her first league heptathlon crown after finishing in the top three the past three seasons, while Darrow took first place in the hammer throw.
The Central men also had two champions on Friday, as Matt Graber captured his third conference shot put title with a season-best toss of 53 feet and one-quarter inch – which also topped the NCAA Division III meet provisional qualifying standard. The Dutch men scored an impressive 23 points in the long jump, taking three of the top four spots; led by Ethan Miller’s second straight outdoor conference title.
The Iowa Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships continue today at Cornell College in Mount Vernon.