John Gonzalez Sept. 25, 2009

Central 10th in 21-team Augustana meet

DAVENPORT—Central College placed a strong third in a 19-team field at the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational women’s cross country race Friday evening.  

The Dutch men were 10th in a 21-team field.

Central’s women were second among NCAA Division III schools. Division II Truman State (Mo.) was an easy winner with 36 points, with the Univ. of Chicago, ranked No. 22 nationally, at 106 and Central just five points back at 111. Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) was fourth (138) and No. 31-rated Wis.-Stevens Point was fifth (156).

Finishing times weren’t especially meaningful due to a mixup with the lead cart on the traditionally fast, flat Credit Island course, cutting the distance to 5,420 meters instead of the scheduled 6,000.

Nonetheless, Dutch senior Angie Berry (Norwalk) continued to shine, placing fourth (20:15.4). Amber Mayer (senior, Essex, Shenandoah HS) was 16th (20:58.3), with Hannah Anderson (senior, Goodell, Garner-Hayfield HS) in 20th (21:03.0), Amy Ledvina (senior, Tama, South Tama HS) in 29th (21:24.9), Mel McDermott (freshman, Britt, West Hancock HS) in 42nd (21:36.2), Rachelle Tipton (senior, Newton) in 49th (21:50.3) and Melanie Louis (sophomore, Davenport, Central HS) in 66th (22:11.1).

“The women really ran well,” coach Joe Dunham said. “There were a lot of very good teams in the meet and for us to run as well as we did is exciting.”

Berry is performing at a consistently high level, Dunham said.

“Angie put together a really strong race,” he said. “We’re excited to start doing some speed work in the next couple of weeks to give her a better finishing kick.”

Wis.-Stevens Point won the men’s race with 25 points. Central had 337. Teddy Clark (senior, Montgomery, Ill., Oswego HS) was 24th in a career-best 26:20.2 on the 8,000-meter course. Pierre Taylor (senior, Montgomery, Ill., Oswego HS) was 56th (27:05.1), John Gonzalez (freshman, San Antonio, Texas, Brackenridge HS) was 60th (27:09.4), Andrew Hamer (sophomore, Murray) was 88th (27:58.6), Corey Fitzsimmons (senior, Pella) was 109th (28:39.4), Cody Burkhardt (freshman, Pittsburg, Mo., Hermitage HS) was 125th (29:15.1) and Brandon Clough (freshman, Marhsalltown, GMG HS) was 127th (29:19.6).

The Dutch were without Austin Vondracek (junior, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS), who remained at home because of illness.

“The men ran well but we have yet to run when we’ve had all five of our top runners,” Dunham said. “We’re still not sure what we’re capable of. We have a lot of adversity to get through but we’re hopeful we’ll get everybody strong and healthy.”

Central will focus on hard training during the next two weeks before competing again Oct. 10 at the Lamb-Kohawk Invitational hosted by Coe College at Jones Park in Cedar Rapids.  It will be Central’s first appearance at the meet since 2000. The meet attracted seven schools last year.