ROCK ISLAND, ILL. – Securing their spots as individuals at next Saturday's national meet, Addison Parrott (senior, Danville) and Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion) of the Central College women's cross country team were third and fourth at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Saturday morning.
           
The Dutch were fourth as a team with 152 points and will find out Sunday if they are selected as an at-large participant for the national meet as well. The University of Chicago won the team title with 36 points and Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel of the Maroons won the 6,000-meter race in 21 minutes 11.4 seconds.
           
"I'm very proud of how our women competed today," coach Joe Dunham said. "They really went after it at the beginning of the race and tried to put themselves in position. I felt like they fought hard and gave it their all and as a coach all I can ask for is their best effort."
           
Parrott was the third runner to cross in 21:42.6 with Steffen right behind her in fourth with a time of 21:46.4.
           
"They proved they belong with some of the best runners in the country," Dunham said. "I'm excited for them to compete next weekend at the national meet."
           
A pair of Central seniors saved their best time of the season for Saturday. Kira Hooper (Henderson, N.C., Citrus Valley HS) was 38th in 23:01.7 while Sara DeHaan (Cedar Falls) had a career-best time of 23:37.9 to take 52nd.
           
"I thought Kira and Sara had great races," Dunham said. "For both of them to run their best races of the season at the regional meet was very special."
           
The final scorer for the Dutch was Emma Rocha (senior, Franklin, Wis.) in 58th place (23:49.2)
           
Also running for Central but not contributing to the team score, Teah Miller (sophomore, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) was 64th (23:57.2) and Kaleena Hagen (junior, Tipton) was 83rd (24:21.4).