NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS — As two senior Central College track and field distance runners prepare for the national meet next weekend, it was the end of the road for four other seniors at the Gregory Invitational Thursday night.
           
There were no teams scores kept at the meet hosted by North Central College.
           
Evie Kammeyer (senior, Urbandale) and Mark Fairley (senior, Dubuque) ran top-five marks in school history in the 1,500 meters. Kammeyer (4:41.41) had the No.2 mark all-time on the women's side while Fairley is now No. 5 on the men's list (3:52.95).
           
Fairley has ran the fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase time in the country while Kammeyer is in line qualify in the No. 20 slot.
           
A 2016 qualifier in the steeplechase, Holly McKinney (senior, St. Charles, I-35 HS) was fifth in that race Thursday in a time of 10:57.13. Though a better mark than prior efforts this season, it won't be enough for her to make a return trip to the national stage.
           
"It's bittersweet for her," coach Joe Dunham said. "She wanted to run faster tonight but you can't say enough about her career at Central. She's one of the premier distance runners we've had in a long time. She's worked so hard and I'm proud of all of her accomplishments.
           
Senior Taylor Donner (Dubuque) also ran the 1500 meters in 4:01.73 and placed 12^th. Fellow graduating seniors Tanner Rathje (Marion, Linn-Mar HS) and Jon Specht (Dubuque, Hempstead HS) ran the 800 meters in 2:00.24 and 2:04.58, respectively. Those were the final collegiate races for the three.
           
"It's tough to say goodbye to them as well," Dunham said. "They're all extremely talented and have had great careers in their own right."
           
Preston Kizer (sophomore, Dubuque) and Kyle Pape (junior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) were also seventh (1:54.30) and 11^th (1:54.89) in the 800 to close out their seasons.
           
"I think we took a big step forward with our distance program," Dunham said. "I'm looking forward to next year with all the guys we have coming back."
           
The official qualifying list for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be released over the weekend. The national meet will be held in La Crosse, Wisconsin May 24-26.