The 2012 track and field season got off to a solid start for the Central College women’s and men’s squads, as they each came away as winners in the Dutch Athletics Classic Friday night. Contributions by several freshmen helped the men rack up 258 points in the five-team field, easily outpacing runner-up William Penn University’s 74 points. The Central women, meanwhile, scored 121 points; 28 ahead of second place Hannibal-LaGrange University.

Among the freshmen leaders on the men’s squad was Knoxville native Jamie Vander Veer, who won the 600 meters. In all, the Central men claimed the gold in seven events, including a sweep of the throwing events. The women earned four gold medals. The Dutch track and field teams will travel to Waverly next Saturday to compete in the Wartburg Select Invite.