SAINT LOUIS — Competing at the Washington University Distance Carnival in a field of over 1,000 athletes from at least 100 institutions, the Central College track and field team's distance crew started its outdoor season with strong efforts in the 5,000-meter run
A total of 32 Dutch student-athletes competed in either a men's or women's 5,000-meter race Friday at the distance carnival hosted by Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.).
"I really felt like we had a great couple of days down here in St. Louis," associate head coach
Joe Dunham said. "The goal of this meet is to get some good weather and good competition to try and gain some confidence going into the outdoor season. I really believe we accomplished that."
The only Central athlete to compete a race other than the 5,000 was
Megan Johnson (senior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) in the women's 10,000-meter run, in which she finished fourth in 35 minutes, 00.33 seconds and broke the 42-year-old school record by over two minutes.
Johnson and
Caroline McMartin (senior, Pella) were the only athletes to compete on Thursday as McMartin raced in the fastest heat of the women's 5,000. She was third in her heat in 16:29.11, knocking 21 seconds off her previous best and school record.
"They ran fantastic Thursday," Dunham said. "They struck to the race plan and made great moves at the right time. It was pretty much what you expect from veteran runners."
Running together in the fifth heat Friday, four Central women worked together in the 5000 meters.
Peyton Steffen (sophomore Marion) was the top finisher, taking 25th overall in 17:26.24.
Addison Parrott (junior, Danville), Kira Hooper (junior, Henderson, N.C., Citrus Valley HS [Calif.]) and
Lindsey Davidson (senior, Northwood, Northwood-Kensett HS) were close behind in 17:40.91 (40th), 18:33.47 (79th) and 18:35.36 (81st), respectively.
"Those were huge PRs for Peyton and Addie," Dnham said. "We knew they would run fast, and it was exciting to see them put two great races together. I thought it was a great launching off point for Lindsey and Kira. They will move in the right direction from here."
Noah Jorgenson (senior, Sidney) was the top Dutch entry in the men's 5,000-meter race, taking 27th overall in 14:43.14
"I thought he ran really smart," Dunham said. "He went out with the goal to have a strong finish. This gave him a lot of confidence for the next phase of our training as he is getting ready to compete in the 800 and 1500.
Caleb Silver (fifth year, Conrad, BCLUW HS), who ran in Jorgenson's heat, was 48th overall in 15:03.02.
"Tonight was not Caleb's night," Dunham said. "But I couldn't have been prouder of how hard he battled the second half of that race. I know that's going to pay off at the end of the season."
Central's full team will compete next weekend at the Wartburg Select in Waverly. A handful of athletes will compete on Friday before the full team joins on Saturday.
