Amy Ledvina July 27, 2009

Hopes high for veteran Central squad

New Central women’s cross country coach Joe Dunham’s first task is finding a way to keep the Dutch healthy.

Several runners are coming off injury-riddled seasons but with five of last year’s top seven runners returning, Dunham is confident Central can improve on its fourth-place Iowa Conference finish.

Key among those Dunham hopes to keep out of the training room this fall is senior Angie Berry, who is looking to end a noteworthy collegiate career at the NCAA Division III national meet Nov. 14 at Cleveland, Ohio. She was a national qualifier as a freshman but has had to battle to stay in peak condition. Berry placed 19th at the 2008 conference meet.

“Angie will be an important part of the success of this team,” Dunham said. “We need her to be healthy and make sure she’s where she needs to be.

“She’s feeling a lot better right now. The potential is there and the desire is there. And this year we have some good runners for her to train with so that she’s not alone out there. I think that will help.”

Among those good runners is senior Amber Mayer, who had a breakthrough junior season. She was Central’s third runner at the conference meet, finishing 22nd, then was the squad’s top finisher at the NCAA Division III Central Regional.

“We’re looking at Amber as a leader,” Dunham said. “She just needs to be more confident. She had a great year. Now she needs to take that next step. I think it’s finally starting to click with her.

“She has to understand that she’s capable of running with the top runners in the region.”

Another veteran is senior Amy Ledvina, a three-year letterwinner who was in Central’s top five in every race in 2008. She placed 30th at the conference meet.

“Amy’s another leader,” Dunham said. “She’s certainly a top-five runner for us again and is someone we need to have run well.”

Amber MayerSophomore Melanie Louis was also a varsity regular.

“Melanie can be in our top seven if we can keep her healthy,” Dunham said.

Senior Jenni Hufford cracked the top seven four times last year.

“Injuries caused her a lot of problems,” Dunham said. “She could compete for a varsity spot, it’s just a matter of staying healthy.”

Dunham likes the intangibles that seniors Kelsey Tompkins and Heather Shives bring.

“Kelsey’s someone everyone else can look at and get energy from,” Dunham said. “She can help the younger runners get better and understand what it takes to be a college runner. She’s been working really hard. I’m excited to see what she can do.

“Heather  will bring great leadership as well. She is coming off of a great track season and showed a lot of improvement.”

Injuries have slowed the progress of several other varsity contributors, including juniors Meghann Burt, Claudia Garcia and Molly Von Holten.

“Meghann had a great track season,” Dunham said. “With the injuries she’s had, we have to be careful with her. But we got her excited about the longer races in track and I think that will translate to a better cross country season.

Garcia was able to compete in just one race in 2008, but was Central’s No. 7 runner in that one.

“Claudia showed a little promise,” Dunham said. “She could certainly be a contender.

“Molly (Von Holten) could definitely be in the top five. We have to figure out the mileage we need to keep her healthy and still compete well. She’s a very gifted athlete and is capable of great things, even with lower mileage.”

Senior Liz Arentsen will also get a look.

“I think last year Liz started to understand what she’s capable of doing,” Dunham said. “I think she’s someone who could really help us. I’m excited to see what her fitness level is when she comes in.”

But Dunham is also expecting at least two freshmen to earn varsity spots.

“I’m excited about our freshman class,” he said.

Consequently Dunham thinks his squad can overcome the graduation loss of team MVP Jess Clark. He calls Luther and Wartburg the favorites in an exceptionally strong Iowa Conference. Both squads will contend for NCAA national meet berths. But Dunham gives the Dutch a shot at third in the league, with potential for some postseason noise as well.

“I think we’ll be better than people expect,” he said. “A lot depends on our front-runners and what kind of depth we develop.”