A potentially game-changing incoming freshman class and an opportunity to provide an even sharper focus on his program has coach Joe Dunham enthused about the 2018 Central College men’s cross country season.
After the most successful four-year run in the program’s history, the Dutch slipped to fourth in the Iowa Conference in 2016 and a disappointing sixth place last fall. But with what he thinks could best recruiting class in his 11 years as head coach, Dunham has quickly put 2017 in the rear-view mirror. It’s likely there will be some freshmen forcing their way into the lineup. It’s a large and talented group and a huge part of the program’s future, Dunham said, including Jeremy Fopma of Marion, who took first in the Class 3A high school state 1600 meters and finished second in the 3,200 meters, Brycen Wallace of Greenfield placed second in the Class 1A 3200 meters and third in the 1600 meters, and bringing equally glossy credentials from outside of Iowa are Easton Sabala of Hermitage, Missouri and Jack Sagan of Riverside, Illinois.
The Dutch open the season with their home invitational on Friday, August 31st.