Central’s Horton is top freshman at NCAA cross country meet
Central College
WINNECONNE, WIS.—Sparked by an aggressive start in the biggest race of his young career, Central College’s Eli Horton (Runnells, Southeast Polk HS) was the top freshman finisher at the NCAA Division III men’s cross country championships Saturday.
Horton capped the most notable rookie campaign in the program’s history by placing 52nd in a 280-runner field, finishing in a career-best 24 minutes, 57.81 seconds on the 8,000-meter Lake Breeze Golf Club course. That easily topped his previous career best time of 25:44 set at the NCAA Central Regional at Waverly Nov. 12. It also vaults him from 12th to sixth on Central’s all-time 8,000-meter performers list.
“Eli ran really well,” coach Joe Dunham said. “It was exciting to see him attack the race. He ran his first mile faster than he ever has at 4:46. It’s kind of a step of faith to run that fast that early in a race that means so much. He handled the pressure well. And he was picking guys off the entire race.”
It was Horton’s second appearance on the Lake Breeze course and he made a huge leap, finishing nearly 1:40 faster than his 26:39 clocking at the Wis.-Oshkosh Brooks Invitational Oct. 15.
“My goal for Eli was for him to finish under 25 (minutes),” Dunham said. “For him to do that is excellent. It’s definitely a confidence booster going into the indoor track and field season.”
Horton’s placing is the highest by a Central runner since 1994, when Andy Goodman gained all-America distinction by finishing 21st.
Horton led the Dutch at five out of six meets in his freshman campaign. He earned Iowa Conference runner-of-the week honors after taking second in his collegiate debut at the Central Dutch Inv. Sept. 3. He earned all-conference honors at the league championships Oct. 29 and all-region honors Nov. 12.
“The biggest thing for Eli is to get this experience this early in his career,” Dunham said. “He’s really improved. Now he can say he’s been here and he’s done it. It will really pay dividends in his career.”
Horton was running as an individual qualifier in the NCAA meet. Loras was the lone Iowa Conference school in the team competition, placing 25th in the 32-team field with 538 points. Perennial power North Central (Ill.) captured another title with 110 points.
Dunham said Horton’s progress needs to continue.
“We’re very pleased with how he did but we’re by no means satisfied,” he said. “There are still lots of things to improve on.”
And Dunham expects the Central program to continue its steady ascent as well.
“Eli can lead the team,” he said. “This experience will help the team progress, help our recruiting and help get our program to the next level.”
