The Central College men’s cross country team took five of the first six spots, while the women’s team collected seven of the top 10 finished, as both teams cruised to easy wins in the Central Dutch Invitational Friday evening.
The Central men’s team finished with 19 points, followed by Grinnell College at 52 and Indian Hills Community College at 70. The Dutch women’s squad were easy victors in the three-team field with 18 points to Grinnell College’s 47. Indian Hills Community College was third with 80.
Racing on the 6,000-meter campus course, Noah Jorgenson topped the 47-runner field for the second consecutive year, winning in 19:28.5 after finishing in 19:56 last year. Kenny Cronin was third (19:38.9) with Cutler Owens fourth (19:50.0) and Caleb Silver fifth (20:00.8), inches ahead of Adam Sylvia, who was sixth in an identical time (20:00.8). Also in the varsity seven were Randy Jimenez, who was eighth (20:14.3) and Derek Webster, who took 10th (20:25.7).
Caroline McMartin coasted to a 21-second win for the Central College women’s cross country team finishing the course in 19:16.4, marking a 31-second improvement over last year’s race when she placed second. Addison Parrott was second in 19:37.9 after clocking 20:11 in taking fifth a year ago. Rachel Mullennax was fourth in 20:26.4 with Leah Bontrager almost matching her, taking fifth in 20:26.8. Hailey Hill was sixth (20:36.2) with Lindsey Davidson seventh (20:37.9) and Peyton Steffen ninth (20:46.2).
Both Central College cross country teams are off until next Saturday at the Les Duke Invitational at Grinnell at 10 a.m.