Dutch Tripped Up in Men’s Tennis Finale

The Central College men’s tennis team came up one match short in a 5-4 loss to Coe College in the American Rivers Conference semifinal Thursday night.

Coe beat Central (12-11) 5-1 on Saturday in Pella but the Dutch almost reversed that result. Seniors Trey Melvin and Matthew Den Adel put it all on the line to try and reach the American Rivers Conference tournament final, compiling three of Central’s four points. The pair won their No. 2 doubles match 8-4. Melvin avenged his loss at No. 1 singles from last Saturday by winning 6-4, 6-3 against Jordan Oaks. Den Adel won 6-2 6-1 at No. 6 singles. AJ Wilkins won 6-4, 6-2 at the No. 3 singles spot. He also avenged a previous loss in his match.

Central loses three seniors from its starting line up in Melvin, Den Adel and Caleb Hamerlinck.

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Central Takes Crown in Home Men’s Golf Tourney

Making the most of warmer weather and familiar terrain, the Central College men’s golf team posted an eight-shot victory at the 10-team Ryerson Invitational Thursday.

Competing on their home course, the par-72 Bos Landen Golf Club, the Dutch posted a 300. Kyle Gabos was among three Central players to fire a 1-over-par 73 and was declared the medalist on a tiebreaker. Also shooting 73 were Jacob Brainerd from the Central White team and Cole McGriff. The Dutch varsity also got a 75 from Harold Dobernecker with Lucas Wendel shooting 79 and Jacob Moffett finishing with 82. Five Central players were recognized as part of Senior Day prior to the round. In addition to Gabos, Wendel and Brainerd, Dustin Haines and Keegan Bianchi were recognized.

The Dutch have the weekend off to prepare for the 54-hole American Rivers Championships next Thursday through Saturday at the par-71 Geneva Country Club. Central was second in the tournament last year behind Luther College.

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Sylvia Breaks Men’s 1500 Meters Record at Drake

Taking down a record that has stood since 1999, Adam Sylvia reestablished the Central College men’s track and field standard in the 1,500-meter run Thursday night at the Drake Relays distance carnival.

Sylvia finished 12th overall and second in the slower 1,500 meters heat with a time of 3 minutes, 50.37 seconds. He nudged the old school record by .37 seconds set by Jon Linadaman 23 years ago. Caleb Silver nearly missed setting a school record in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing the line in 8:57.55, just .16 seconds off Mark Fairley’s school record set in 2018.

In the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Megan Johnson moved up to second on Central’s top-10 list with a time of 10:45.32. She finished 14th in the race. Caroline McMartin took second in the unseeded 5,000-meter run in 17:07.48. Hailey Hill was 29th in the 10,000-meter run in 38:32.06

Eight more entries from the Dutch track and field program will compete Friday at the Drake Relays.