Surging from the pack to secure the highest 10,000-meter run finish in Central College men’s track and field history, Cole Decker (senior, Des Moines Iowa, Dowling Catholic HS) finished second to highlight a sultry opening day of action at the NCAA Division III Championships Thursday.

Decker, eighth nationally a year ago, crossed the line in 30:49.33. Ian LaMere of Wis.-Platteville took the title in 30:21.40. Decker was about six seconds ahead of third-place Tyler Shipley of Puget Sound (Wash.). It’s the highest individual national finish for the Dutch men’s outdoor program since Eric Larson claimed the 2013 decathlon crown.

Yet the finish was not as remarkable as the performance, which was tagged “unbelievable” by coach Joe Dunham.

Decker emerged from the front pack to take an early lead in the race, but couldn’t sustain it in the late-afternoon heat.

“Around 5,000 meters he started to fade,” Dunham said. “He dropped to about eighth and didn’t look good. It was really looking bleak.”

But then determination took over.

“All of a sudden, things just shifted,” Dunham said. “He started passing people. It was just all mental toughness. He ran a huge last lap to come back all the way to second.

“I think I got 25 or 30 texts from other coaches after the race about how amazing it was to watch.”

The event is among the most grueling in college athletics, making it a challenge for the mind as much as the body, Dunham said.

“He just mentally regrouped and really went after it,” he said.

Decker will return to the track at 4 p.m. Saturday to compete in the 5,000 meters. It’s a demanding double but Dunham thinks Decker is up for it in his final collegiate race.

“We did a long cool-down afterwards and we’ll do another one tonight,” Dunham said. “We’ll do everything we can to get his legs feeling good. I think he’ll be ready. He’s really confident right now. He’s mentally dialed in.”in.”