Another Record-Breaking Day for Dutch Track and Field Squad

A second school record fell for the Central College men’s track and field team this weekend at the Drake Relays as the shuttle hurdle relay team eclipsed a 29-year-old mark Saturday.

Jaxon Thompson, Reid Pakkebier, Connor Miklos, and Lucas Heitz finished eighth in 1 minute, 2.35 seconds. The previous mark was 1:02.41 set in 1993. Krissa Larson, Karsyn Lamm, Indianola alumni Rayna Sickels, and Abby Gruver were seventh in the women’s shuttle hurdle in 1:07.68. In the College Division of the women’s distance medley relay, Central’s quartet of Megan Johnson, Lauren Brown, Alyssa Mayhew, and Pella High graduate Caroline McMartin was eighth in 12:46.10. On the men’s side, Adam Sylvia, Carter Tryon, Noah Jorgenson, and Will DeHaan were ninth in 10:24.34 in the distance medley relay. After a stellar Friday in the long jump, Brock Lewis only completed one successful triple jump and finished 20th in 44 feet, 8 inches.

Central competes at the Dr. Tucker Open at Loras College next Friday before competing in the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 13-15.

Big first inning costs Central in baseball defeat

Eight runs in the first inning by Nebraska Wesleyan University put the Central College baseball team in a hole it could not climb out of in a 15-5 loss Saturday night.

Central started strong with four runs in the top of the first inning. Colton DeRocher had an RBI double and then scored on Declan O’Hare’s three-run home run. The Prairie Wolves answered with eight runs of their own in the bottom of the first, using six hits, a walk, and a Dutch error. Marcus Wenzel was the losing pitcher with eight of the 13 runs scored against him charged as earned. He struck out five and walked three. The Dutch got an outstanding offensive outing from the first baseman O’Hare who was 4-for-4 with four RBIs. He was a double shy of hitting for the cycle.

Central’s record now stands at 14-19 overall and 2-17 in American Rivers Conference action following the loss. Games two and three of the series between the two teams will be played Sunday starting at noon in Lincoln.

Central Women’s Golf Falls in Windy Close to Their Spring Season

Bringing a challenging spring season to a windy close, the Central College women’s golf team was outshot by Grinnell College, 319 to 329 Saturday. Originally scheduled as a two-day meet, the triangular was trimmed to 18 holes, as wind gusts reached up to 35 miles per hour. Central’s Delaney Underwood and Madison Clark finished the day each carding an 80. Mackenzie Biggs had an 84, Peyton Bytnar had an 85 and Thea Lunning shot 87. For several squad members, it’s not the last time this spring they’ll battle wind, as Central sends partial men’s and women’s on a trip to Scotland May 23-June 1. Central, which finished second in the American Rivers championship meet last fall, returns its entire top five in August.