Central College Sends 11 Entries to NCAA Indoor Track Championships

Nine individuals and two relay teams will represent the Dutch at the national meet in Alabama.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Nine individuals and a pair of relay squads will represent the Central College men's and women's track and field programs at the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championship this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama.

Why it matters

Central College has a strong track and field program, and sending 11 entries to the NCAA Championships demonstrates the depth and talent of their teams. This is an opportunity for the Dutch athletes to compete against the best in the country and potentially earn All-American honors.

The details

The Central College women's team is sending the distance medley relay team for the fourth year in a row, as well as the 4x400-meter relay team, which is making its first appearance since 2024. Individually, Olivia Bohlen is ranked fourth in the pentathlon, Peyton Steffen is ninth in the 3,000-meters, and Ava Parkins is 19th in the 400-meter dash. On the men's side, Kale Hobart, Gage Huyser, and Gavin Smith qualified in the heptathlon, with Hobart ranked third, Huyser seventh, and Smith 16th. Jack Brown is second in the mile, Gunner Meyer is fourth in the 60-meter hurdles, and Kale Purcell is eighth in the triple jump.

  • The national meet will be held in Birmingham, Alabama on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Central College

A Division III college located in Pella, Iowa, with a strong track and field program that is sending 11 entries to the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Maddy Stevens

A member of the Central College women's distance medley relay team.

Olivia Phillips

A member of the Central College women's distance medley relay team.

Kyra Cordes

A member of the Central College women's distance medley relay team.

Peyton Steffen

A member of the Central College women's distance medley relay team and ranked ninth in the 3,000-meters.

Kale Hobart

A Central College men's heptathlete ranked third nationally.

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What’s next

The national meet will be held in Birmingham, Alabama on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, 2026, where the Central College athletes will compete against the best in the country.

The takeaway

Central College's strong showing at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, with 11 entries across both the men's and women's teams, demonstrates the depth and talent of their track and field program. This is an exciting opportunity for the Dutch athletes to compete at the highest level and potentially earn All-American honors.