An experienced Central men's track and field team ready to compete

The Dutch return six national meet qualifiers

by Peter Leithauser

Pella, IA (01/15/2025) — PELLA- Led by 14 seniors, the Central College men's track and field team returns one of the biggest teams coach Brandon Sturman has had and is ready to compete for a conference title.

The Dutch return six men who qualified and competed at the Division III outdoor championship meet.

Along with the 14 seniors the team returns 13 juniors, 18 sophomores, and welcomes 21 freshmen.

"Our men's team is definitely bigger than it has been in the past," said Sturman. "Specifically on the sprints, and multi-events group we have key returners with more experience. Our multi-events group is our strongest area and where we will see the biggest impact on the team."

Kale Purcell (senior, Holton, Kan.) finished 10th at the national meet last season to earn second team All-American honors. After two early meets this season, he broke his school record in the triple jump.

"At the Iowa State meet he did some big things. He set a personal best in the triple jump, but we want to continue to build on the early success and he set the bar high for this upcoming season, Sturman said."

Returning in the multi-events group is Reid Pakkebier (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS), Kale Hobart (sophomore, Mason City), Gavin Smith (junior, Audubon), and Gage Heiser (junior, Pella). All four competed at the national meet last season and are poised to have a strong season.

"All of them have their different qualities that they succeed at," Sturman said. "Pakkebier is strong in the hurdles so outside of the decathlon, so he has a chance there, Hobart and Smith have done well in the pole vault and jumps. This group gives us great depth at the conference level with hopes of returning to the national meet."

One area the Dutch lost key seniors was in the distance events. Jack Brown (freshman, Norwalk) returns after qualifying for nationals and finishing 21st in the nation in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in his first season. Along with Brown, Derek Webster (senior, Norwalk) is returning after a strong cross country season where he qualified for the Division III National Championships.

The sprints group has key returners of Jrake Van Hemert (junior, Pella), Gabe Feldman (sophomore, Mount Pleasant), JD Elefson (junior, Ankeny, North Polk HS), and Brian Hart (senior, Norwalk).

"This group returns with more experience and should make an impact at the conference level for us," said Sturman.

One key newcomer in the throws group is Alex Zarlantes (Taylor Ridge, Ill., Rockridge) who has caught the eyes of the coaching staff.

"He has made a lot of progress in the weight throw so far along with the discuss so we are excited to see how he competes," said Sturman.

Despite having a busy schedule, the team is ready to face some great competition and on Friday the squad hosts the Dutch Athletics Classic at Noon in the H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse. The indoor season will continue through the Division III Indoor Championships on March 14.

"Our schedule has a lot going on, we try to find different meets for different groups to succeed," said Sturman. "We will host a home meet to get our feet wet after a break before moving onto Nebraska Wesleyan which is a good way to compete at a big school atmosphere. After that we go to Wartburg a couple times where there is always good competition."

The outdoor season starts on March 27 before the team hosts the Central Invitational in Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium on March 29. That season will continue through the Division III Outdoor Championships on May 29.

Reid

Pakkebier