PELLA, Iowa (March 28, 2026) - Buena Vista junior Nick Walch led the way for the Buena Vista men's track & field team with a runner-up finish in the pole vault as it began the outdoor season on Saturday at the Central College Dutch Invitational.

Walch was one of three individuals who ended up tied with the best height by clearing 4.00 meters. Patrick Heffernan ran a strong 1500m run and came across in 4:15.35 to place 17th.

Easton Hays, Carter Braun and Zach Thompson all ran personal best times in what was a loaded 200m dash field with 100 total runners. Hays also ran an 11.0 second 100m dash time that was 27th and only 0.25 seconds away from qualifying into the finals. It was another loaded field with the top 50 runners separated by only one second.

Next up for Buena Vista is the University of South Dakota Early Bird Meet on April 3-4 in Vermillion, S.D.