BOSTON, MASS. — Establishing a new school record for the second time in as many weeks, Central College women's track and field distance runner Caroline McMartin (junior, Pella) put on a show in the 5,000-meter run Friday morning.
           
McMartin's time of 17 minutes, 29.58 seconds placed her 10th in the unseeded 5,000 at Boston University's David Hemery Invitational. It was her first collegiate indoor 5,000 and she reset the school record by 15 seconds.
           
Teammate Megan Johnson (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) also bested the previous school record, taking 16th in 17:43.47 and moving up to No. 2 in Dutch program history. A third Dutch runner, Hailey Hill (senior, Las Vegas, Nevada, West Career and Technical Academy) moved into No. 9 in program history with a time of 18:34.10. She finished 55th in the unseeded 5,000.
           
"I couldn't be prouder of their effort and competitiveness," associate head coach Joe Dunham said. "What I was most happy with was how all three of them were not phased by this big crowd, fast track and all the different schools from all over the country. They went into their races and you could see all three expected to do well and they did. I'm a proud coach tonight."
           
McMartin just missed a second school record in the mile run, clocking in at 5:03.59. Cam Ratering set the school record at 5:03.14 in 1980. She placed 168th out of 288 runners.
           
"She learned some good things in the mile today," Dunham said. "These faster middle distance races tend to be a little more physical as runners try to find position. It was a good experience for as we get ready for the indoor national meet, and I think she will be more prepared for that now."
           
Central has four men's runners in Boston who will compete Saturday. The rest of the Dutch track and field squad will be at the Darren Young Classic in Grinnell.