Central takes three event crowns at Jim Duncan Invitational

Dutch 4x400 relay ends meet with a win

by Joseph Flaherty

Des Moines, IA (04/14/2025) — 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.

The Dutch men finished third in the team standings while the women were fourth. Central was the top Division III team for each gender. The Jim Duncan Invitational featured an array of Iowa schools of all sizes as the host school preps to host the Drake Relays in two weeks

"It started out cloudy and cold but as the day went on the day got better," coach Brandon Sturman said. "All of the races and events got better with the weather."

The women's 4x400-meter relay team of Lizzy Van Utrecht (sophomore, Ottumwa, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS), Alivia Roerdink (sophomore, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS), Emily McMartin (Pella) and Ava Parkins (sophomore, Monmouth, Ill., Burlington Notre Dame [Iowa] HS) was victorious in 3 minutes, 51.58 seconds

"They finished our day off super strong," Sturman said. "They ran two seconds faster than they did last year when they won this meet last year. Hopefully we can build off it and use it as momentum for both conference and the national meet."

Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion, Linn-Mar HS) took a runner-up finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The winner of the event was an unattached runner. Her time of 10:33.85 is now No. 4 in Division III and moves her into third on the school's all-time list.

"She put her name on a strong list in her first time ever running this race," Sturman said. "She's super talented and works hard. She's really developed as a runner and expanded her range from the 800 to the 5K."

Roerdink also secured a runner-up finish individually in the 800 meters in 2:13.34

"She's hit her stride and is believing in herself more," Sturman said. "It's exciting how well she is running right now. I'm loving her confidence as a sophomore."

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

Top-eight finishes - women

200 meters - 7. Emily McMartin, 25.32

400 meters - 7. Lizzy Van Utrecht, 59.70; 8. Ava Parkins, 59.75

800 meters - 2. Alivia Roerdink, 2:13.34

4x100 relay - 4. Central, 48.06

4x400 relay - 1. Lizzy Van Utrecht, Alivia Roerdink, Emily McMartin, Ava Parkins 3:51.58

100-meter hurdles - 3. Olivia Bohlen, 14.69

3,000-meter steeplechase - 2. Peyton Steffen, 10:33.85; 6. Teah Miller, 11:48.94

Triple jump - 8. Ella Jumper, 31-1

High jump - 5. Abigail White, 4-11; 7. Ramey Dahlquist, 4-11

Pole vault - 2. Amber Vroman, 10-10; 7. Kylie Meyer, 9-10; 8. Leah Howard, 9-4.25