Central Takes Three Event Crowns at Jim Duncan Invitational

Running on the famous blue oval at Drake Stadium, the Central College track and field teams tallied three event championships at the Jim Duncan Invitational Friday.

There were no team scores kept, and the meet featured an array of Iowa schools of all sizes as the host school prepares to host the Drake Relays in two weeks. The women’s 4×400-meter relay team of Lizzy Van Utrecht, Alivia Roerdink, Emily McMartin, and Ava Parkins was victorious in 3 minutes, 51.58 seconds. Kale Hobart captured the men’s 400-meter hurdles title in a time of 53.22 seconds. It’s the third-fastest time this season in Division III and No. 4 on the school’s top-10 list. Men’s triple jumper Kale Purcell gave Central a third individual title, winning with a mark of 46 feet, 7.50 inches. Peyton Steffen took a runner-up finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and her time of 10:33.85 is now #4 in Division III and moved her into third on the school’s all-time list. Roerdink also secured a runner-up finish individually in the 800 meters in 2:13.34

Central is sending a contingent of athletes to the Dick Young Invitational at Grinnell College today, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Central Falls Short Against Luther in Baseball Series Opener

Despite 11 hits on the day, the Central College baseball team suffered a 6-3 setback against Luther College Friday afternoon.

The Dutch (12-13, 4-9 American Rivers Conference) started the day with back-to-back singles by Brayden Sawyer and Max Steinlage before Garrett Guenther launched a three-run home run for an early 3-0 Central lead. Luther answered with a leadoff homer and a three-run blast of their own to take a lead it would not relinquish. The Dutch outhit the Norse 11-7, led by a four-hit day by Sawyer. Jaden Kramer and Dylan Williams each had two hits. Starting pitcher Jackson Torbit went seven innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Bryce Haessig retired all three batters he faced in the eighth inning.

Central and Luther will continue their weekend series with a noon doubleheader today in Decorah.

Luther Blanks Central Men’s Tennis Squad

The Central College men’s tennis team fell 7-0 to American Rivers Conference leading Luther College on Friday.

Luther took the doubles point by sweeping the matches despite two close battles. At #1 doubles, AJ Wilkins and Ayden Fletcher went to a tiebreak before losing 12-10. The freshmen duo of Benny Ramker and Jack Briggs lost 7-5. The Norse also swept the singles matches but Wilkins found himself in another tiebreak. At #3, Wilkins lost the first set 6-1 but rebounded well and won the second set 6-3, before falling short 11-9 in the third set tiebreak. Fletcher was able to win seven games in his two sets at #1 singles and Briggs won six games at #2.

The Dutch (7-11, 2-1 American Rivers) have a big day of tennis at home today starting with Wartburg College at 10 am, before playing Morningside University at Pella High School at 2:30 pm.