Grinnell’s track and field teams delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2025 Darren (Dick) Young Classic, spearheaded by the 100-meter shuttle raced by Lucas Fadden `26. Grinnell’s athletes won in 12 events and recorded 37 personal records.
The annual outdoor track and field meet, which bears the name of the nine-time Midwest Conference champion sprinter and long-jumper Dick W. Young, took place Saturday, April 12 under sunny skies and moderate winds. Considering the conditions, Jeff Pedersen, head track and field coach, expected faster times in the short sprint events, where athletes run in the direction of the wind, but also more challenges for longer runs that face headwinds. Most of all, he expected challenges for the throwing events, which he said faced the hardest competition in a long time.
His expectations were met when Fadden dominated the 100-meter shuttle with a time of 10.42, a new personal record, school record and the third fastest time in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Conference. Fadden achieved this after being injured with a broken toe that caused him to miss the indoor season, as well as a semester abroad in Australia.
Despite his success, Fadden remained grounded, already looking ahead to bigger goals –– a Nationals title and a time in the 10.3s.
“Joy wears off in the first five to ten minutes, and then you’re already on to the next,” Fadden said. “It felt good, but I just want to go faster.”
Grinnell enjoyed double success in the 200-meter shuttle, with Linus O’Brien `28 and Maile Crowe `25 both taking top spots. For Crowe, the win was especially meaningful, as it marked her final home victory as a senior.
Reflecting on her time at the Dick Young Classic, Crowe said the presence of family, friends and alumni has always made the event feel special. She said she was also grateful for this year’s sunny weather after a history of bad weather at the event.
“That makes the meet infinitely better,” Crowe said. “And a little bit easier mentally because you’re not battling the cold along with the pain of running.”
O’Brien, meanwhile, was all smiles after his win, imagining a future where an athletic facility at Grinnell would bear his name. “I want to put my name up there with the legends of this school,” he said.
Grinnell’s success continued at longer events like the 800-meter sprint, as Andy Chestovich `26 and Tennyson Schultz `28 both brought home wins. With barely a second between the first and fifth place runners in the race, the men’s 800-meter run was the closest competition of the day. With just 250 meters to go, Chestovich saw the gap on the inside of the track between the two forerunners and immediately seized the chance.
“In the 800, you only get one move, so when I saw the opportunity, I struck,” Chestovich said.
On the other hand, Schultz won with a comfortable three-second margin after running a personal record on Friday’s Jim Duncan Invite at Drake University. She said she felt in great shape and hopes to achieve a 2:17 time that will put her on the podium at Conference.
The 1500-meter women’s run was dominated by Grinnellians, who took the first seven spots. Among them, Genevieve Madigan `28 emerged victorious with a 4:58 personal record. Hannah Roth `27 came in second after breaking Grinnell’s record for the 3000-meter steeplechase with 11:13.05 during Friday’s Jim Duncan meet –– this record ranks her 21st nationally.
Regarding their success in the event, their teammate Beatrice Ebel `28, who came in fourth, said, “That’s what we want to see!”
Other first-place finishes by the track team were achieved by Crystal Kaczmarczyk `25 in the 3000-meter steeplechase, Jessie Goodman `26 and Xavier James `25 in the women’s and men’s 400-meter hurdles, respectively, as well as by the women’s 400-meter relay team.
The field events did not yield any less success, led by standout performances by by Ian Clawson `26 in the throwing disciplines. Clawson, whom his teammate and pole-vaulter Rohan Thota `28 describes as a “strong presence that makes the whole team perform better” and the “mama bear of track and field,” clinched second place in a tightly contested men’s hammer throw with a seasonal best.
Rajanea Landers `28 had a successful run, winning the women’s triple jump and 400-meter relay. High-jumper Jack Novelle `26 finished second with a seasonal high, 1.86, despite coming back from a heel injury. He said he feels confident about a 1.96 in the near future. Lastly, three-season athlete Juniper Schwartzman `27 achieved yet another victory with a 33.91-meter throw in women’s javelin.
“Our performances across the board were very strong, every event group had some highlights,” Pedersen said. He also said that the competition was useful for team building. Pedersen added that the meet put the whole team in a good position for both Conference and National meets.
The 2025 Dick Young classic ended by honoring the senior athletes, for whom this would be the last home meet representing Grinnell. Teammates, friends, families, alumni and faculty cheered for Grinnell’s seniors, waving posters and giving out bouquets as well as red-and-white neck garlands.
