Central Women Take 13th at NCAA Indoor Meet
Posting its second-highest national indoor team finish ever, the Central College women’s track and field squad placed 13th at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships Saturday.
The Dutch women put up 15 points, recording their highest indoor meet finish since placing 12th in 2002. Meanwhile, the Central men got an all-America performance from Noah Jorgenson in the men’s mile. The Dutch tied for 38th in the men’s team standings with five points while competing at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.
Central picked up three more all-America awards for the day and had eight for the weekend. For the women, Caroline McMartin was eighth in 4:54.94 in the women’s mile and Megan Johnson finished sixth in the 3,000 meters in 9:38.13. It was the third indoor all-American award for both runners. Central also picked up an additional honor as Abbi Roerdink was awarded second-team all-American honors for placing 12th in the 400 meters on Friday.
Jorgenson gained indoor all-American distinction for the second time, after helping Central place in the distance medley relay a year ago. After taking the early lead in the mile Saturday, he dropped back, but was able to pass some runners near the finish to take fourth in 4:07.01. Central’s Gunner Meyer also competed in the high jump Saturday and placed 18th at 6’4.25”.
The Dutch open the men’s and women’s outdoor season Thursday, March 28th with the Central Invitational at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.
Central Tennis Teams Fall at Grinnell
The Central College women’s tennis team dropped a 7-2 setback at Grinnell College to open their spring season Saturday, while the men’s team also fell to Grinnell 9-0.
The lone singles win for the Dutch women was at No. 5 where Brianna Lindstrom prevailed 6-3, 7-5. At No. 2 doubles, Jenna Mahoney and Becca Vala posted an 8-3 win. The young Central men’s team dropped all six singles matches in straight sets as Grinnell, ranked No. 36 in the NCAA Division III, improved to 9-2.
The Dutch tennis teams are off until Saturday, March 23rd when they play host to the University of Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.) in a 10 am match.