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Central Men’s Cross Country Team Makes Performance Jump

Improving four spots over the previous year, the Central College men’s cross country team was sixth in an oversized 29-team field at the Roy Griak Invitational Friday afternoon.

NCAA Division II school Michigan Tech University had 62 points to take the top spot over the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, which had 77. Buena Vista University was the only other American Rivers Conference school competing and finished 21st with 581.

Central’s Noah Jorgenson was 12th in 25:54.1 among 408 runners, more than a minute faster than his time on the same course last year. Caleb Silver was 34th in 26:26.7, Adam Sylvia was 38th in 26:29.2, a 30-second improvement over a year ago. Kenny Cronin was 53rd in 26:38.0, Cutler Owens was 66th in 26:54.3, Randy Jimenez was 125th in 27:36.3 and Derek Webster was 143rd in 27:52.5.

Central travels to Geneva, Illinois next Saturday for the Aurora (Ill.) Invitational, the site of the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional on November 12th.

Central 10th in Minnesota Women’s Cross Country Meet

Competing in a 30-team field that included several NCAA Division II squads, the Central College women’s cross country team was 10th Friday at the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota.

The University of Minnesota-Duluth won with 65, followed by Winona State (Minn.) at 88. Central had 295 and was second among the NCAA Division III schools competing. 

Among 384 runners, Central’s Caroline McMartin was 19th in 23:17.7 on the 6,000-meter course, 25 seconds quicker than in last year’s race. Addison Parrott was 39th in 23:53.3, nine seconds better than last year and Hailey Hill was 75th in 24:28.2, Leah Bontragger was 76th in a personal-best 24:28.3, Lindsey Davidson was 119th in 25:10.0, Peyton Steffen was 127th in 25:16.3 and Emma Rocha was 143rd in 25:28.7.

Central heads out of state again next Saturday, traveling to Geneva, Illinois for the Aurora (Ill.) Invitational. The course is the site of the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Nov. 12.

Two Singles Matches for Central Women at Tennis Regional

Rain washed out the doubles at the ITA Division III Midwest Regional Friday, but the Central College women’s tennis team got in a pair of singles matches.

Jennifer Larson battled well in her second set but ultimately fell 6-0, 7-5 against Hailey Trebil of Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.). Jenna Hernandez faced the No. 15 seed Sam Fuchs of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and fell 6-1, 6-0

The weather has caused the schedule for Saturday to be uncertain but tentatively Larson will play with Madi Whalen in doubles matches and Hernandez will be joined by Alex Griggs in the doubles bracket.

Hamerlinck, Scott Win Conference B-Flight Doubles Tennis Bracket

The Central College men’s tennis continued its run of B-Flight doubles championships at the American Rivers Conference Individual Championships Friday night.

Nick Scott and Caleb Hamerlinck won all four of their B-Flight doubles matches after a first-round bye, ending with an 8-5 win over Loras College’s Kareem Kassas and Sean Gelski in the title.

A Dutch duo has won the B-Flight doubles crown for three consecutive years and four of the last five years dating back to 2018. Carter Corn and Brendan Hale started 3-0 and advanced to the semifinals before losing to Scott and Hamerlinck in the semifinals and eventually losing the third-place match.

The singles draws only advanced through the round of 64 in each of the three flights due to rain limiting the number of available courts. Trey Hull was the only Central winner in the handful of singles matches played as he beat Luis Garcia of Loras College 8-5.

The remaining matches of the tournament will continue Saturday morning at 9 a.m.