CEDAR RAPIDS – With her first-place finish at the 2024 American Rivers Conference Championships Saturday, Addison Parrott (senior, Danville) became the first Central College women's cross country to runner to win a league title.
           
Teammate Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion) crossed the line second to help the Dutch to a team runner-up finish. Wartburg College won the title with 41 points, 15 ahead of Central.
           
Parrott completed the 6,000-meter race in 21 minutes, 34.2 seconds. Steffen finished in 22:03.4
           
"They took the race from the start and really controlled the race," coach Joe Dunham said. "It was a very impressive 1-2 punch to watch. I was proud of how they executed the race plan.
           
"I was proud of Addie for winning the championship. She had a great race and looked really strong."
           
Teah Miller (sophomore, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) gave Central a third all-conference performer, placing 14th in 23:14.6
           
Kira Hooper (senior, Henderson, N.C., Citrus Valley HS) and Sara DeHaan (senior, Cedar Falls) completed the scoring for Central with a 21st and 22nd place finish, respectively. Hooper crossed at 23:40.0 and DeHaan was in at 23:41.8
           
Also finishing in Central's varsity seven were Emma Rocha (senior, Franklin, Wis.) and Kaleena Hagen (junior, Tipton). Rocha placed 24th (23:49.8) and Hagen 28th (23:59.4)
           
"Today was definitely a step in the right direction," Dunham said. "I was really pleased with the effort and running a smart race."
           
Central goes back to Rock Island, Illinois for the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional on Saturday, November 16.
           
"I'm excited for the next two weeks as we prepare for the regional championships," Dunham said.