TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA—Running with the nation's best, three members of the Central College cross country teams competed at the NCAA Division III Championships Saturday.
           
Saturday's national meet was held at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute. The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse was the men's team champion and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology won the women's race.
           
In the women's 6,000-meter race, Addison Parrott (senior, Danville) was 49th in a time of 21 minutes and 56 seconds and Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion) finished 101st in 22:22.7. Derek Webster (senior, Norwalk placed 202nd in the men's 8,000-meter race after crossing the line in 25:48.1.

"Anytime you qualify for the NCAA championships that's a very special thing," coach Joe Dunham said. "I was proud of all three of our athletes today and their competitiveness. While the results weren't entirely what we were hoping for, I couldn't be more proud of the effort they put in today and throughout the whole season."
           
Faith Duncan of Wilmington College (Ohio) was the individual women's winner in 20:16.5. Christian Patzka of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was the men's individual winner in 24:01.6
           
Parrott, Steffen and Webster will turn their attention to the indoor track and field season, which for distance runners begins with the Dutch Holiday Preview on December 13 in Central's H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse.

"They have put themselves into great position for the indoor track and field season coming up," Dunham said. "I'm excited to see what they do on the track.