Results: Women | Men

� Women | Men

FAYETTE, Mo. - Central Methodist's cross country teams started their seasons off in style Saturday morning, dominating the fields at the Eagle Invitational. The meet, the first of two tune-up meets for the Eagles, gave the athletes a break from the monotony of practice and gave several competitors their first taste of collegiate competition.

"It went well," Eagles' head coach Chris Sandefur said. "Both teams looked very comfortable. We're right at the correct level of fitness for this time of year."

Junior Hailey Breusch led the Eagle women across the line, completing the 2.25 mile course in a time of 14:15.43, just three-hundredths of a second ahead of her sophomore teammate Emily Nealley. Senior Elise Schreiber, freshman Allyson Ng, freshman Megan Greener and senior Adriana Romero finished in spots four through seven. Freshman Rachel Howieson rounded out the Eagles' scorers as the team's seventh finisher, 11th overall.

Sophomore Eagle Cris Renteria took the men's top spot, followed closely by teammate and fellow sophomore Tyler Meierarend. Renteria's covered the 5K course in a time of 16:54.74. Meierarend crossed the line in 16:54.93. Sophomore Brett Davis, junior Ryan Farrell and freshman Brennan Cape finished in spots five through seven. Sophomores Zach Feurt and Ryan Dickson finished sixth and seven for the Eagles, 10th and 11th overall.

"It's a really good feeling," said Sandefur, speaking about his women's team. "We were top-25 (nationally) last year and we're better this year."

Sandefur said he was impressed by the performances of Ng and Greener, two freshman who he said stepped up big.
"They're doing a good job of filling the spots of some seniors we lost," he added.

On the men's side, Sandefur described Renteria and Meierarend as two special runners.

"Cris and Tyler are definitely on a different level than most runners in this area," Sandefur said. "It's amazing to see them be able to work together. They're good leaders for this team."

Sandefur added that Cape's seventh-overall finish was a pleasant surprise and said that he was also very pleased with Farrell. "Ryan really had a really good summer. He's feeling very confident."

In fact, Sandefur said, his whole team is feeling confident.

Looking ahead, the Eagles have a week off, then return some of their less experienced runners to action Sept. 14 at Central Missouri's Mule Run. The full team hits the course again Sept. 21 at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, a meet Sandefur said gives his athletes "the chance to compete against some of the best runners in the country."

"They definitely believe in themselves," Sandefur said of his teams. "They're shooting really high. Some teams are looking to be third or fourth in their conference and our kids are trying to be one of the best teams in the country. It's great to work with a group like that. It's exciting."