Steffen secures steeplechase league title for Dutch women

Six Dutch women earn all-conference honors

by Joseph Flaherty

Indianola, IA (05/13/2025) — Central College women's track and field junior Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion) outpaced the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase field Friday to give the Central College women's track & field team its only individual title so far at the American Rivers Conference Championships.

The Dutch women are in fourth with 39 points through eight events.

Steffen won the steeplechase n 10 minutes, 33.21 seconds.

"Anytime you can hit a lifetime best at a conference meet it's pretty impressive," coach Brandon Sturman said. "It was exciting to see her feel as comfortable as she was. She's got more big events tomorrow and hopefully this set her up for a special day."

In the 4x800-meter relay, Peyton Madison (freshman, Eldridge, North Scott HS), Teah Miller (sophomore, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS), Riley Packer (junior, Erie, Ill.) and Alivia Roerdink (sophomore, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS) took second place in 11:44.19. Emma Rocha (senior, Franklin, Wis.) also earned all-conference honors after finishing third in 38:57.22 during the 10,000 meters.

"I'm super excited Emma was able to get on the podium in her first 10K of the year," Sturman said. "I was really proud of her and it's exciting for her to do it in her senior year."

High jumpers Abigail White (senior, Centerville) and Ramey Dahlquist (freshman, Janesville, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) were fourth and seventh, respectively, after both cleared 5-1. White won the tie breaker based on fewer misses. Long jumpers Olivia Bolen (junior, Belle Plaine) and Karlee Warnke (sophomore, Primghar, South O'Brien HS) were sixth (17-6.25) and eighth (17-0.75), respectively. Sage Austin (sophomore, Carlisle) took sixth in the heptathlon with 3,563 points.

The final day of competition from the league championships start with field events at 10 a.m. running events begin at 1:30 p.m.

Top-eight finishes

10,000 meters - 3. Emma Rocha, 38:57.22; 10. Kira Hooper, 42:00.28

3000-meter steeplechase - 1. Peyton Steffen, 10:33.21; 8. Teah Miller, 11:44.19

4x800 relay - 2. Peyton Madison, Teah Miller, Riley Packer, Alivia Roerdink, 9:28.64

High jump - 4. Abigail White, 5-1; 7. Ramey Dahlquist, 5-1

Long jump - 6. Olivia Bohlen, 17-6.25; 8. Karlee Warnke, 17-0.75

Heptathlon - 6. Sage Austin, 3,563 points

Kira

Hooper