DES MOINES - Kelvin Bungei opened up action at the Drake Relays for the Iowa Central track and field team, placing 14th overall in the 3,000 Steeplechase.

Bungei clocked a time of 9:09.88, which ranks first among all NJCAA runners this year in the Steeplechase. His time is also the fifth-fastest in Triton history.

Dan Michalski won the event in 8:29.83, leading from the third lap on. Joshua Yeager of South Dakota State was second and Jackson Neff from the Second City Track Club placed third.

"I was excited to compete with some big people out there and put Iowa Central on the map again," Bungei said. "I was able to run a PR, which is good. Running against faster people gives me confidence to compete."

Bungei moved up from 23rd to fourth on the fourth lap, finishing ahead of runners from South Dakota, North Dakota State and Notre Dame.

On Friday, Iowa Central is entered in eight events including the 100, 100 hurdles, 110 hurdles, 400, the 4x100 relays and the discus. Saturday will include the distance medley, shuttle hurdle, shot put, hammer throw and finals of the 100, 100 hurdles, 110 hurdles and 4x100 relay.

Athletes set to compete include Bungei, Victoria Adu, Robin Aguilar Gonzalez, Lilia Alvarez, Janae Barksdale, Darius Brown, Hayden Cobbs, Hannah Connell, Dashinelle Dyer, Lee Eppie, Rosalie Fish, Odell Frye, Cassius Havis, Jaheem Hayles, Jerome Jessup, Chloe Lenoir, Shaunti Longfellow, James Mackey Jr., Terry McNeill, Ashley Micheaux, Tamara Roby and Daqwon Wilson.

The Tritons will also have athletes at the Kip Janvrin Open in Indianola hosted by Simpson College.

-By Dana Becker