Simpson track and field teams start strong at Wartburg

WAVERLY - The Simpson men's and women's track and field teams turned in 15 top-three finishes at the season-opeing Wartburg relays Friday night, led by Taylor Stockdale's winning effort in the weight throw.

No team scores were kept at the first indoor meet of the season, which featured relays, field events, the 60-meter dash and the 60-meter hurdles.

The men's team produced nine top-three finishes. Stockdale's first-place heave measured 41-6, besting the field by more than two inches. Stockdale added a second-place finish in the shot put, where he registered a toss of 40-0 3/4.

Simpson also got second-place efforts from Lnce Kramer in the high jump (6 feet), Ethan Elkin in the pole vault (11-1 3/4), the distance medley relay (11:24.02) and the 4x1600-meter relay (19:33.08).

Josh Diehm took third in the high jump (5-10) and Jarrod Schott came in third in both the long jump (21 feet) and triple jump (41-8 1/2).

On the women's side, Maddy Besack placed third in the shot put (36-7 1/2) and Meagan Kirts got third in the high jump (4-7 3/4).

The women's 4x200-meter relay (1:52.88), 1600-meter sprint medley (4:47.22) and distance medley (13:22.30) each placed second.

The 4x1600-meter relay came in third (24:03.04).

Simpson is off until Jan. 29 when it travels to Dubuque for the Dubuque open, which begins at 10 a.m.