Storm track and field begins new year at Pella
PELLA, Iowa - Simpson men's and women's track and field teams had multiple event winners as they opened the calendar year at the Dutch Athletics Classic, Saturday, in Pella, Iowa.
The Storm saw six athletes, three men and three women, take home individual crowns. Carter Berkey kicked off the action by winning the men's long jump in a career-best jump of 6.84 meters. Berkey has now won the long jump in each of his first two indoor competitions.
Max Cleveland continues to be a standout hurdler for the Storm. After breaking his career-best in December to open his indoor season, Cleveland ran a 8.33 in the 60 meter hurdles to claim first place. On the women's side, Audrey Arnold came close to breaking her career-best, running a 9.71 in the same event to take home the gold.
In her indoor career debut, freshman Ava Carder won the 600 meter run, running the quickest time this year for the Storm in 1:47.83. The Storm also saw a pair of milers take home titles, with Emily Erhardt clocking a time of 5:46.11, holding off teammate Kate Huisinga by just 0.25 seconds, to take first in the women's mile. Cade Mash smashed his mile time last indoor season by running a blistering 4:39.62 to earn winner's honors in the men's mile.
Other standout performers included Lillia Williams, who finished second in the women's 60 meter hurdles with a career-best 9.83. Amy Kish ran the fastest 60 meter dash since the 2019-20 season by clocking a career-best 8.42, while Angel Schewe beat her career-best by more than five seconds in the 1000 meter run, finishing in 3:31.21. Joseph Sams was just 0.02 seconds off his 200 meter dash career-best, finishing fifth in the men's race in 24.24.
Up Next
Both teams travel to Lincoln, Neb., next Friday, for the Prairie Wolf Invitational.
Individual Victories
Men's Long Jump - Carter Berkey (6.84 meters)
Men's 60 Meter Hurdles - Max Cleveland (8.33)
Women's 60 Meter Hurdles - Audrey Arnold (9.71)
Women's Mile - Emily Erhardt (5:46.11)
Men's Mile - Cade Mash (4:39.62)
Women's 600 Meter Run - Ava Carder (1:47.83)
