Experienced Central men’s cross country team ready for challenging competition

PELLA- After an NCAA Division III 15th-place finish last season, the Central College men’s cross country team has gained an infusion of young talent.

“The team will look different,” coach Joe Dunham said. “There is a lot of excitement and a lot of depth on this team.”

The Dutch graduated a pair of all-America honorees, but returnees Jack Brown (sophomore/Norwalk), Derek Webster (sophomore/Norwalk), and William Wadsley (senior/Gilbert) each ran in last year’s NCAA national meet. Also back is Austin Smith (senior/Olathe, Kan./South), who joins Webster as a team co-captain.

But Dunham is also expecting contributions from a promising freshman class.

“A lot of these guys coming in had success at the high school level,” Dunham said. “They know what it takes to be a good runner and the commitment it takes. There is a lot of excitement with this incoming group.”

The Dutch will benefit from last year’s memorable campaign.

“The experience plays a big role,” Dunham said. “These guys know how to win. It is very difficult in our region and in our conference. Our guys are up for the challenge and excited for it.”

The squad hosts the season-opening the Central Dutch Invitational Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. on the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex cross country course.

“We like to run at our course,” said Dunham. “It is challenging, and I like to run it early in the season to get our team ready for later competition. We are bringing in a few other teams so it will be larger. It is a great starting point for our program for our team to get competitiveness going.”