CEDAR FALLS - The Iowa Central track and field team got their first chance to actually compete indoors, taking part in the Jack Jennett Open here on Thursday hosted by the University of Northern Iowa.
After beginning the season last week outdoors at the Coffeyville Winter Classic, the Tritons were greeted by perfect conditions inside the UNI-Dome.
Five more events secured national-qualifying marks with two more putting their names inside the school's all-time Top-10 lists.
Hannah Connell, Dashinelle Dyer and Jerome Jessup in the 60, Kelvin Bungei in the mile and the women's 4x800 relay of Lilia Alvarez, Shaunti Longfellow, Rosalie Fish and Chloe Lenoir all claimed national-qualifying times in their respective events.
Dyer's 60-meter dash time of 6.79 ranks sixth-best all-time in Triton history while Jessup's 6.85 in the same event ranks 10th. Dyer's time is currently the fastest in the country.
"This was a great way to start our indoor season," said Dee Brown, Executive Director of Track and Field at Iowa Central. "It has been a very non-traditional season but the athletes that did step on the track battled well.
"The competition was thin, but many events saw our athletes competing with their teammates to push themselves to better marks. The final of the men's 60 as well as the men's mile and men's 800 were some amazing intra-squad battles. The women's 4x800 relay was able to achieve a national-qualifying standard all by themselves."
Connell clocked a time of 7.56 in the 60 with Bungei going 4:20.57 in the mile. The 4x800 relay finished in 9:57.97.
"I am anxious to see how we fare against some of the bigger teams across the nation," Brown said. "We will have that opportunity at Pittsburg State against some of the best junior colleges in Kansas."
Jaheem Hayles captured the 60 hurdles, Nadesha Wallace the 400, Robin Aguilar Gonzalez won the 800, Josie Stackis captured the women's mile with both the women's 4x400 and men's 4x800 relays finishing first.
Earning second place finishes included Jessup (60), Daqwon Wilson (60 hurdles), Patience Heath (200), Franklin Scott (400), Rosalie Fish (800), Pur Biel (800), Chris Levario (mile) and both the men's 4x400 and 4x800 relays.
Both track and field athletes will be in action Sunday, Jan. 31 at Pittsburg State University in Kansas.
-By Dana Becker