Watkins' LJ Victory Highlights Storm Performances At Iowa
Simpson College competed at the University of Iowa Invitational Feb. 20 in Iowa City. There were no team scores.
Wardell Watkins (Jr., Olathe, Kan., Northwest H.S.) won the long jump with a leap of 21-10. Watkins later finished seventh in the 60m (:7.17).
Zach Smith (Sr., St. Louis, Mo., CBC H.S.) finished second in the triple jump (43-3), second in the 200m (:23.13), and fifth in the 60m (:7.05). Marty Rounds (Jr., Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jefferson H.S.) charted a second in the 60m hurdles (:8.64) and a third in the 200m (:23.17). Ethan Elkin (So., Des Moines, Iowa, Southeast Polk H.S.) placed second in the high jump (15-1).
The 4x400m relay of Josh Wardenburg (Fr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Williamsburg H.S.), Legrand Bien-Aime (Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Stranahan H.S.), Travis Strehlow (Fr., Clear Lake, Minn., Becker H.S.), and Glenn Beenblossom (So., Plainfield, Iowa, Nashua-Plainfield H.S.) were third in a time of 3:40.05. Tyler Jordison (Jr., Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Ft. Dodge H.S.) came in fourth in the 800m (2:00.86). Jarrod Schott (Fr., Pocahontas, Iowa, Pocahontas H.S.) finished third in the long jump (20-9 ¾) and fourth in the triple jump (40-6 ¾).
Louis Elbert (So., Indianola, Iowa, Indianola H.S.), Thomas Cotter (So., Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst H.S.), and Justin Schneider (Sr., Stuart, Iowa, Menlo H.S.) went 4-5-6 in the 600m. Elbert was fourth (1:24.77), Cotter fifth (1:30.30), and Schneider sixth (1:33.26). Kyle Yarkosky (Jr., Albia, Iowa, Albia H.S.) was fifth in the 400m (:51.77) and sixth in the long jump (17-2 ¾).
Bien-Aime finished sixth in the 200m (:23.42). John Wardenburg (Jr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Willamsburg H.S.) placed seventh in the weight throw (42-5 ¼). Nick Wilson (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa, Saydel H.S.) was seventh in the 60m hurdles (:9.08). Eric Osterhaus (Sr., Waterville, Iowa, Waukon H.S.) charted an eighth place finish in the 3000m (9:13.14).
"It was nice to compete in a smaller meet at Iowa on Friday in preparation for the Iowa Conference Championships this weekend," said Simpson head coach Dave Cleveland. "It allowed for a more laid back atmosphere and the meet moved along pretty quickly, which is what you want this time of year. The smaller meet certainly did not affect the quality of competition as we competed with athletes from Iowa as well as Bradley and Division III power North Central College. Overall, I was pleased with many of performances. I saw some of the things I needed to see in various spots as we make final decisions on a Conference line-up. But, I also saw some things we need to shore up by this weekend if we want to be competitive as a team. As we use the this week to tune-up and get our legs back under us. I think our kids will respond to the challenge this weekend brings."
Simpson heads to the Iowa Conference Indoor Championships next weekend in Waverly. Action begins on Friday at 4 p.m. with Saturday's events beginning at 10 a.m.