Even a pandemic-limited season, last year should prove beneficial for an experienced Central College men’s cross country team this fall. Nine of the team’s top 10 runners are back from a squad that was limited to a steady diet of American Rivers competition, finishing fifth in the league meet after four weekends of league triangular action.

Central must first sort out a crowded lineup that saw multiple runners make a bid for the top spot last year. Senior Will DeHaan, junior Caleb Silver and sophomore Noah Jorgensen each took a turn at No. 1. DeHaan earned all-conference distinction with an 11th-place league finish in a season-best 26:31 on the 8,000-meter course. He received the squad’s Most Improved Performer Award the previous season. Jorgensen was the team’s Newcomer of the Year Award winner with a season-best effort of 26:24 and was 18th in the league in 26:48. He made rapid progress.

Meanwhile Silver clocked in with a team season best of 25:30 in a triangular at Waverly and was 20th in the conference. But he really hit his stride during track and field season, earning a trip to the NCAA outdoor championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
DeHaan is part of a big senior class along with Thatcher Krob, Cutler Owens, Easton Sabala, Jack Sagan and Edison Weig. Owens was in the top five most of the season. He missed the track season due to injury but is on track to be ready for cross country season, Dunham said, and expected to be a major contributor. Meanwhile Sabala and Krob were in the top seven at the conference meet and Sagan made three top-seven appearances. DeHaan and Sagan serve as team co-captains.

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