Freshman Kruiswyk impresses in Central women’s cross country debut

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA — It was a smashing introduction to the college level for freshman Miranda Kruiswyk (Dunlap, Ill.) as the Central College women’s cross country runner snared the individual title at the Dutch Invitational.

As a team, Central finished runner-up to Grinnell College. The Pioneers has 35 points and the Dutch had 37.

Kruiswyk finished the 5,000-meter race in 19 minutes and 56 seconds.

“Winning the whole race was my goal for her coming in,” coach Joe Dunham said. “I was really happy with her effort. Talking to her after the race, I think she believes there is more in the tank. That’s a good thing because you want to walk away feeling there is more to give.”

Junior Lauren Moll (Faribault, Minn.) was the second Dutch runner across the line and fourth overall (20:46). Sheridan LaCoste (freshman, Rudd, R-R-MR HS) gave Central two freshmen in the top five (20:51).

In her first competition back after missing much of the 2017 cross country season and all of the 2018 track and field season, Rachel Peter (senior, Prairie City, PCM HS) was 11th in 21:40.

“Rachel hasn’t raced in so long,” Dunham said. “It was so exciting to see her out there competing. I have no doubt she will me a major contributor to this program by the end of the season.”

Sarah Steffensmeier (junior, Fort Madison) was the fifth and final scorer for the Dutch, crossing the line 16th (22:19).

Juniors Savanna Henning (Ankeny, Centennial HS) and Ashley Meldrum (Cambridge, Ballard HS) rounded out the top seven in 17th (22:22) and 18th (22:52).

“I think it went well today,” Dunham said. “We’ve got a long way to go. It’s a good to get a measuring point in terms of where we are in the season. We’ll try to build off of what we did today and get better.”

Central will compete in Grinnell at the Les Duke Invitational next Saturday.