SAINT PAUL, MINN.  — Four members of the Central College track and field program were in Minnesota for the University of St. Thomas Showcase Friday night to run distance races.
           
Central scored six points in the men's team standings and none in the women's in a meet that featured athletes from 20 different schools across NCAA Division I, II and III.
           
Two of the four competitors were in the men's 800-meter run, led by Kyle Pape's (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) fourth-place run (1 minute, 55.23 seconds). Freshman Will DeHaan (DeWitt, Central DeWitt HS) finished eighth in 1:59.64
                
"Kyle ran a really gutsy race," Dunham said. "He got into a really good position but just couldn't quite hold it on the last lap. I'm confident it'll be there later in the season. He took a good step today and will continue to improve."
           
"Will ran the race a lot differently than he did last week. He ran it the way it needs to be run by getting out fast and getting himself position. As he continues to get more fit, he'll be able to hold onto that position and run a lot faster time."
           
Already No. 8 on Central's all-time list for the 5,000-meter run, Jeremy Fopma (freshman, Marion) dropped four more seconds off his previous best to finish 19^th in 15:25.79.
           
"We took a really good step in the right direction." Dunham said. "He's disappointed and knows he can run a lot faster. This is a process and you have to go through the process to get better. He's getting stronger and his training is going very well."
           
Running her first collegiate 5,000-meter race, Miranda Kruiswyk (freshman, Dunlap, Ill.) finished 11th in 18:52.80. That time places her No. 10 on Central's all-time indoor list.
           
"It's nice to have her getting healthy and able to get some work done," Dunham said. "We know we have a long ways to go but it was a good learning experience for her. I was really pleased with where she's at and excited to continue to watch her progress through the season."

The rest of the Central team will run Saturday at the Darren Young Classic hosted by Grinnell College.