Sept. 3, 2005

Central wins at home

PELLA- Taking advantage of their only home appearance of the season, the Central College men's and women's cross country teams each finished first in the Central Dutch Invitational Saturday.

Competing on Central's campus cross country course at the Kuyper Athletics Complex, the Dutch placed seven runners in the top 11 to dominate the men's race, led by Adam Wolf (junior, Corning HS), who cruised to a first-place finish on the 8,000-meter course in 26:22, taking a minute-plus off his performance last season at the Central Invitational.

"Adam did a great job today," coach Jeff Bovee said. "We've been holding him back some in the practices, but let him stretch out today and he looked fine."

Joe Jefferson (junior, Decorah) was fourth (27:42), Brett Dietrich (sophomore, Williamsburg) was sixth (27:50), Brett Jones (junior, Knoxville) was seventh (27:53), Brian Respeliers (junior, Council Bluffs, St. Albert HS) was eighth (27:57), T.J. Weiler (senior, Ankeny) was 10th (28:05) and Bryan George (senior, Pella) was 11th (28:11).

"We knew coming into this meet that we were the strongest team here," Bovee said. "I liked the packing of the runners, but we've got to continue to fill in the gaps."

Rozendaal making strides for women--Jill Rozendaal (senior, Grinnell, Lynnville-Sully HS) placed second  in 18:53 in the 5,000-meter women's race, 55 seconds faster than her time in the Central meet a year ago.  Nicki Thomas (freshman, Omaha, Neb., Millard North HS) placed third (20:32), Heidi Rathje (senior, Atkins, Benton HS) was fifth (21:08), Jessica Clark (freshman, Port Byron, Ill., Riverdale HS) was seventh (21:17), Mackenzie Lauman , (Coin, Shenandoah-Essex HS) placed ninth (21:26), Hannah Anderson (freshman, Goodell, Garner-Hayfield HS) placed 11th (21:34) and Chantelle MacVey (freshman, Newton HS) placed 14th (21:48).

Central finished with 24 points in the three-team meet. Simpson had 49 and William Penn had 61.
"I was very pleased with our women today," said Bovee. "We have a lot of freshmen and I didn't know how well they would do, considering it's the first meet of the year. They showed that they are ready to compete."

"We have great leadership from our three seniors in Jill Rozendaal, Mackenzie Lauman, and Heidi Rathje. They have led this team and will continue to lead as the season progresses."

The Dutch men and women face a far more powerful field when they return to action in two weeks at the St. Olaf Invitational in Northfield, Minn. Sept. 17.

"We have to get ready for this next meet, which includes seven of the top 10 teams in the region," Bovee said. "We'll see where we're at after that."