There’s a battle for varsity spots looming on the Central College women’s cross country team and coach Joe Dunham is eager to watch how it unfolds. The Dutch return all top seven runners from last season’s young club, but Dunham already anticipates some newcomers muscling their way into the lineup. Sophomore Caroline McMartin won team MVP honors as a freshman and was pushed for the top spot by junior Mari Stein, who was also MVP as a rookie in 2019. McMartin gained American Rivers all-league distinction by placing 15th at the conference meet. Her 23:24 clocking at an Oct. 10 triangular at Waverly was the team’s fastest 6,000-meter time for the season.

Stein was Central’s number one finisher in the season’s first two meets and second in two others, turning in a 23:34 effort at Waverly. Potentially pushing into that top tier as a rookie, Addy Parrott brings a glittering resume to Central, finishing second in the Iowa state high school class 2A meet last fall.

But it’s not a top-heavy lineup. Sophomore Lindsey Davidson was Central’s No. 3 runner for most of her freshman season. She was under the 25-minute mark for 6,000 meters three times, including a 24:28 finish at Waverly. Another sophomore, Kate Hoogensen, was also a top-seven regular and was Central’s No. 2 finisher at the conference meet, matching her season-best time of 25:10. Likewise, junior Lauren Coon, a team co-captain, had three top-four showings and posted a 24:52 clocking at Waverly.

Other top-seven finishers in at least one meet last year include junior team co-captain Hailey Hill, sophomore Alyssa Mayhew, junior Lauren Miller and sophomore Natalie Patterson while Dunham sees sophomores Abby Alberti and Layken Bytnar in the mix as well.

Central begins its season September 3rd, hosting the Dutch Invitational.