McKinney gains new experiences with Central track

DES MOINES — Central College freshman Holly McKinney has made two trips to the blue oval at Drake Stadium in the past three weeks, and has experienced something new in each trip.

On April 10, McKinney made her debut in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the Jim Duncan Invitational. On April 23 at the Drake Relays, McKinney ran in the 4x1600 relay for the first time.

It also marked the first time the former Interstate 35 prep has run in the prestigious Drake Relays.

“I’ve never competed at the Relays before, so it was a totally new experience,” McKinney said. “It was really cool to be running with my teammates and against other really good teams. I guess just kind of the prestige of the Relays (made it special). It’s something you have to qualify for, so it’s something you have to work toward. Just being able to run it at Drake Stadium with the crowd there was a neat experience.”

McKinney ran the anchor leg on Central’s 4x1600 relay team, which finished 12th in the 13-team field with its time of 21:28.30. The Dutch were the only Division III team in the field.

Joining McKinney on the relay were Molly Bramble, Kenzie Foldes and Andie Arthofer.

“We were all just excited to be able to run at Drake,” McKinney said. “We all ran pretty well for our split times. I was hoping to run a little faster, but I was happy with it.”

McKinney split a 5:24 on her carry of the relay, which was close to her mile PR of 5:23 from the indoor track season.

In addition to competing at the Drake Relays for the first time in her career, McKinney has seen success during her freshman campaign in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

She finished seventh in the event at the Jim Duncan Invitational on April 10, running 11:50.71. It was the first time she had ever run the steeplechase.

“That is different than anything I’ve ever done before,” McKinney said. “I never saw myself as a hurdler, really. Once you try it, it’s pretty fun.”

One day after running the 4x1600 relay at the Drake Relays, McKinney ran the steeplechase at the Kip Janvrin Invitational at Simpson College.

McKinney took nearly 20 seconds off her time from the Jim Duncan Invitational, finishing second in 11:32.65. Nicole Arnold of Northern State won in 11:27.11.

That time currently ranks McKinney first in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“My time has me in first right now, so I’m hoping to win the steeplechase, or at least put up a good race,” McKinney said about the conference meet. “I hope to run around and 11:30 or faster, hopefully.”

As for her freshman year in general, McKinney said it’s been fun.

“It’s been an adjustment, that’s for sure,” she said. “But I love my team and my coaches. They push me a lot. I’m just excited to see what I can do in the next three years I’m here. I’ve really loved my first year. It’s been a good year so far and I hope it gets better at conference.”