Two Central College track and field athletes were one spot away from qualifying for their event finals on the first day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday.

Brock Lewis had a disappointing finish to his Central career, placing 10th in the long jump. Lewis entered with the best qualifying mark in the country but fouled on two of his three preliminary attempts only reached 23-0.5 on his lone successful leap. The top nine jumpers in the prelims made the finals.

Caroline McMartin was one spot away from qualifying for the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, taking 13th in 11:03.57.  She finished seventh in the second heat for her national track debut.

Reid Pakkebier is leading the way for Central’s four decathlon entries with 3,459 points through five events. Jaxon Thompson moved up the leader board with a big high jump into 15th place (3,397 points). Brody Klein is 17th with 3,294 points and Lucas Heitz is 18th with 3,268 points.

Theo Baldus wrapped up his season with an 18th-place outing in the discus throw with a toss of 145-6. Though Baldus has completed four years at Central, he intends to come back for a fifth season courtesy of the COVID-19 waiver year.

The decathletes will complete day two tomorrow and Sam Beatty will contest the high jump.

Central College NCAA Championships schedule of events

Friday, May 27 (times are Eastern Standard Time)

10 a.m. – men’s decathlon (110-meter hurdles)

10:45 a.m. – men’s decathlon (discus throw)

12:00 p.m. – men’s decathlon (pole vault)

2 p.m. – men’s high jump (final)

2:45 p.m. – men’s decathlon (javelin throw)

4:30 p.m. – men’s decathlon (1500 meters)