Results

WINFIELD, Kan. - A near-school record performance by sophomore Cris Renteria led Central Methodist to a fourth-place finish at the NAIA Mid-States Classic Saturday morning.

Renteria finished in a time of 24:53.55, a significant personal best and only one second off the school record. That finish placed him sixth overall. Fellow sophomores Tyler Meierarend (25:26.46, 15th overall) and Brett Davis (25:45.29, 21st overall) also set personal records, as did junior Ryan Farrell (27:11.33, 69th overall). Freshman Dakota Shoemaker (27:18.43, 79th overall) was the final Eagle scorer.

The Eagles topped No. 20-ranked Saint Mary (Kan.), a feat described by head coach Chris Sandefur as "a huge achievement."

"To be as young as we are and to be competing at that high of a national level is really impressive," Sandefur said. "They're going to have a lot of confidence."

That confidence is not unwarranted. The Eagles will enter the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship race November 9 as the favorite to win the conference title.

"Winning conference that's our main goal," Sandefur commented. "That's how we get to nationals."

The conference meet will be hosted by Missouri Valley.