Central’s Horton honored by league

Central College

PELLA—Central College track and field distance runner Eli Horton (sophomore, Runnells, Southeast Polk HS) is the Iowa Conference male athlete of the week.

Horton shattered his school record in the 5,000 meters by over 10 seconds last Friday at the Mt. SAC Relays in California, crossing the line in 14 minutes, 12.4 seconds. The mark leads the Division III performance list and is five seconds shy from a spot in the all-time top-10 Div. III chart. Horton finished second in his heat of 32 runners, which featured a majority of Div. I competitors.

Horton was less than half a second from taking down the school record in the 1,500 meters. He recorded a time of 3:51.06 and finished fourth in his heat. The mark ranks sixth in the nation.

A two-time all-American, Horton has received male athlete of the week distinction three times, including a nod in the cross country season. It’s the third time he has been recognized as the outdoor men’s track events performer of the week and the second this season.

The Dutch are slated compete at the Drake Relays in Des Moines Wednesday through Saturday and the Kip Janvrin Invitational in Indianola Thursday and Friday.