PELLA—The opening-day performance met the soaring season expectations for the Central College women's cross country team.
           
Ranked 21st in the USTFCCCA preseason Division III poll, the Dutch took first in their own three-team Central Dutch Invitational Friday, racing past Loras College, which finished 18th nationally last season. Central finished with 25 points while Loras had 49 and Grinnell College followed with 61.
                        
Caroline McMartin (senior, Pella), who earned all-America distinction a year ago, turned it up a notch heading into her senior season, winning the 5,000-meter race in 18:19.8, more than 56 seconds faster than she ran on the same course a year ago.
           
"It's a really great start for her," coach Joe Dunham said. "I'm proud of her. She's a great leader for our team. We're excited to see where she goes from here."
           
Addison Parrott (junior, Danville) was third in 19:34.2 with Lindsey Davidson (senior, Northwood, Northwood-Kensett HS) sixth in 19:48.5, a 49-second leap over last season. Kira Hooper (junior, Henderson, N.C., Citrus Valley HS) was seventh in 20:01.4 and Leah Bontrager (sophomore, Wellman, Hillcrest Academy) was eighth in 20:16.4,
           
But no one made a bigger jump than Sara Goodenbour (junior, Cedar Falls), who slashed 1:53 off of last year's time to take 10th in 20:26.9. Hailey Hill (5th-year, Las Vegas, Nev., Palo Verde HS) was 12th in 20:34.8.
           
"We had some surprises," Dunham said. "Annika Kruse (sophomore, Solon) also had a great race (16th in 20:43.6) and Kira Hooper  ran really well. A lot of our athletes ran where they were supposed to run, which is hard to do when you're tired and you've been lifting. So I was really happy with the effort overall."
           
The Dutch shined even without Megan Johnson (senior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS), expected to be one of the team's top runners. Johnson suffered a recent injury but could have run said Dunham, who held her out as a precaution.
           
"I just felt like the best thing to do is to rest her," he said. "We've got a long season ahead of us."
           
Central travels to Grinnell for the Les Duke Invitational next Saturday, Sept. 9. The Dutch won the seven-team meet last year.
           
"We've got an exciting race coming up," Dunham said.