The progress coach Joe Dunham was looking for in his Central College men’s cross country team surfaced Saturday in a triangular at Buena Vista University. The Dutch came within a point of pulling a surprise against Luther, last year’s second-place American Rivers finisher and an anticipated contender this year, falling 27-28. Host Buena Vista was a distant third with 85.

Central placed three runners in the top five and limited its spread in that group to 50 seconds. Senior Nate Sanders was second in 26:34.7 in the season’s first 8,000-meter race after finishing 11th in the Sept. 12 meet. His four 2,000-meter split times varied by just 11 seconds as he held second place for the last half of the race. Ian Kelly of Luther was first in 26:24.6.

Mari Stein topped the field as the Central College women’s cross country team claimed two of the top three spots in a triangular at Buena Vista University Saturday.

Stein finished in 23:53.8 in the season’s first 6,000-meter race while freshman Caroline McMartin of Pella continued her strong collegiate start with her second third-place effort, finishing in 23:58.3. Luther College, last year’s second-place finisher in the American Rivers, saw the gap narrow with the young Dutch, prevailing 29-36 with Buena Vista third at 75 points.

Central makes its final road trip of the abbreviated season Oct. 10, going to Waverly for a triangular with Simpson Wartburg. Race time is noon.

A balanced effort produced a fourth-place showing for the Central College women’s golf team at the 10-team Buena Vista Fall Invitational Saturday. The Dutch shot 349 in the 18-hole tourney at the par-72 BVU Golf Course at Lake Creek. Wartburg posted a 330 for a 13-shot margin over second-place Concordia (Neb.). Host Buena Vista University was sixth at 368. Mackenzie Biggs took 10th individually with 85.

Central travels to Ames Monday, Oct. 5 for the Des Moines Area Community College Invitational. The meet was added to the schedule to allow the Dutch a preview of the par-72 Ames Country Club, site of the American Rivers Championships Oct. 10-12.