Dutch women qualify relay squad for Drake Relays finals
Meyer runs best time in 110 hurdles
Pella, IA (04/28/2025) — DES MOINES - Running just off their season-best pace, the Central College women's track & field team placed eighth in the 4x400-meter relay preliminaries, earning a spot in Saturday's finals.
The quartet of Lizzy Van Utrecht (sophomore, Ottumwa, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS), Alivia Roerdink (sophomore, Tiffin, Ohio, Hopewell-Loudon HS), Emily McMartin (junior, Pella) and Ava Parkins (sophomore, Monmouth, Ill., Burlington Notre Dame [Iowa] HS) clocked in at 3 minutes, 51.62 seconds.
"It was super exciting," coach Brandon Sturman said. "It's nice to see us step up in that environment, to not only qualify but win our heat. It'll be a good experience to double back and try to PR on Saturday.
Mary Gustason (junior, Marion, Linn-Mar HS), Parkins, Olivia Bohlen (junior, Belle Plaine) and McMartin finished .3 seconds slow of the school record in the 4x200-meter relay, placing 17th in 1:42.91.
"Our goal was to break the school record," Sturman said. "IT's not something we run often so we don't practice it a lot. They ran well and they will all be back next year to try and get the school record."
Women's results
4x100 relay (prelims) - 16. Mary Gustason/Ava Parkins/Danika Arnold/Emily McMartin, 48.25
4x200 relay - 17. Mary Gustason/Ava Parkins/Olivia Bohlen/Emily McMartin, 1:42.91
4x400 relay (prelims) - 7. Lizzy Van Utrecht/Alivia Roerdink/Emily McMartin/Ava Parkins, 3:51.62
Sprint medley relay - 8. Danika Arnold/Olivia Bohlen/Lizzy Van Utrecht/Alivia Roerdink, 4:12.35