ROCK ISLAND, ILL. – Competing in one of the toughest NCAA Division III regionals, the Central College men's cross country team finished 10th at the Midwest Regional Saturday.
           
Wartburg College won the team title with 44 points, led by the individual winner Isaiah Hammerand and his time of 24 minutes, 14.2 seconds in the 8,000-meter race.
           
"Our men are competing in one of the best regions in the country," coach Joe Dunham said. "They put themselves right up there at the beginning of the race. We're a very depleted team and I was proud of the guys that came and represented the Dutch today."
           
Central's top runner was Derek Webster (senior, Norwalk) who finished in 25:16.3 and 28th place.
           
"I'm very proud of Derek," Dunham said. "I believe he's got a good shot to qualify for the national meet, but we will have to wait until Sunday to be for sure."
           
Donovan Card (sophomore, Norwalk), and Randy Jimenez (senior, Liberty Center, Southeast Warren HS) finished within 12 seconds of each other. Card was 55th (26:02.7) and Jimenez was 64th (26:14.4)
           
"Unfortunately, Randy was dealing with an injury," Dunham said. "But his effort through the entire race was great."
           
Ben DeValk (senior, Solon) was Central's fifth runner, taking 90th in 26:47.2
           
"I'm thankful for Ben and his effort," Dunham said. "His last cross country race of his career was a great one."
           
Three freshmen got a taste of regional action on Saturday. Ben Every (Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS) was Central's fourth scoring runner in 87th position (26:44.3). Jack Every (Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS) and James Brant (freshman, Tama, South Tama HS) did not score but finished in 104th (27:01.1) and 139th (27:33.8) respectively.
           
"That experience will pay off in the future," Dunham said. "I'm excited to see how they continue to develop."