The Central College men’s track and field team returned to the USTFCCCA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Team Rating Index Tuesday afternoon, landing at #22.

Central was #18 in the third week of the index, before missing out in week four but have now returned in week five.  Central has seven individuals in the top 20 of an event and three others in the top 50.

High jumper Sam Beatty is #2 nationally (6 feet, 9.75 inches) and teammate Drake Lewis is #16 in the same event (6-6.75). Brock Lewis is #7 in the long jump (24-3.75), and Theo Baldus is #13 in the discus throw (162-6). A trio of Dutch athletes are near the top of the heptathlon list. Lucas Heitz is #10 (6,370 points), Jaxon Thompson is #11 (6,259) and Reid Pakkebier is #14 (6,048).

Central is one of four teams from the American Rivers Conference to crack the top-25, and are also ranked #5 in the Central Region. Placement in the index is reflective of the best NCAA Division III individual marks and times. The Dutch will compete at the Drake Relays Thursday through Saturday as well as the Kip Janvrin Open in Indianola on Friday.