One Weekend. Three Central College National Champions.
Story By: Brittany Carlson Prokupek ’16 | Photos By: Anthony Yench
June 15, 2026
JACK BROWN ’27
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Norwalk, Iowa
Sport: Men’s Track and Field
Event: One mile
“Of course, the race itself was a moment of celebration, and the people I got to share it with made it incredibly special. The elation, joy, surprise and gratitude upon crossing the finish line were pure and full. But the success of this season was absolutely found in the process.
Consistent commitment to the Jack-specific training, recovery, nutrition and team-focused goals defined success, and were the foundation of a ton of growth.
In adopting that approach, I could step up to the starting line of the DIII National Championships with the freedom to just go for it. To fully delight in the opportunity in front of me, without being tied down to the outcome. Winning was simply a lovely bonus!”
GUNNER MEYER ’26
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Fairbank, Iowa
Sport: Men’s Track and Field
Event: 60-meter hurdles
“The hour before the prelim, I was anxious — and I just started praying. Once I got out onto the track, all my anxiety washed away. It was the most aware I’d ever been in a race. I knew everything I was doing.
When I crossed the finish line, I thought I might have won — but then I saw another name pop up before mine. For about 20 minutes, I was the runner-up, and I was at peace with that. Two years in a row I’d finished eighth, wondering ‘Why?’ and ‘What else can I do?’ So just being there, in that moment, meant everything.
Then I found out the athlete who finished first had been disqualified — and suddenly I was the national champion. There were so many mixed emotions. I’m really happy I’m a national champion, but that’s not how I ever wanted to win, and it’s not something I’d ever want another athlete to experience. Watching how he handled it — smiling through it all, telling me I deserved it — just really showed me this is more than just a sport. The way he reacted taught me a bigger lesson than anything else that happened that day.”
CADE SIEBRECHT ’27
Major: Self-designed study
Hometown: Lisbon, Iowa
Sport: Men’s wrestling
Weight Class: 149 lbs
“Winning the title was a huge accomplishment — especially being able to do it 20 minutes from my hometown. It meant a lot to me to see so many people there cheering me on — both from Lisbon and Central.
I stay honest with myself going into a tournament like this and visualize just about any possible scenario. Nobody is guaranteed wins, especially in the NCAA Men’s Wrestling Championships. I knew I was going to have to take it one match at a time.
Winning was bigger than just me. I wanted this more for the people who have stuck with me throughout my wrestling career. My family has been by my side every moment and never stopped believing me.
I transferred to Central at semester in the 2024-25 academic year, and my coaches really took me in right away and gave me the opportunity to compete a lot. It spoke volumes because right from the start, I could tell they believed in me. We haven’t had a national champion wrestler since 1992 and being the one to break that streak feels incredible. I couldn’t be happier to have accomplished this for the team and coaching staff at Central. They’ve done so much for me.”
AND THE ACCOLADES ARE STILL ROLLING IN …
The Dutch gained two more national champions in May at the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Olivia Bohlen ’26 and Kale Hobart ’27 each claimed a national title in heptathlon and decathlon, respectively.
ATHLETICS UPDATES
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY: Jack Brown ’27 and William Wadsley ’27 qualified as individuals for the NCAA Division III championship meet for the second time in their careers after Central took sixth in the regional meet.
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY: Four Dutch women earned all-conference plaudits for finishing in the top 15 at the A-R-C Cross Country Championships. The Dutch finished second as a team and Peyton Steffen ’26 was the individual runner-up.
FOOTBALL: Central defeated a nationally ranked Randolph-Macon College team in its home opener en route to an 8-2 campaign. Ben DeMeulenaere ’26 and Gavin Smith ’26 were both tabbed as College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans.
WOMEN’S GOLF: The Central women completed their first full season under new head coach and alum, Mackenzie Biggs ’24.
MEN’S SOCCER: Alejo Marcon ’26, defender, was chosen as the A-R-C Defensive Most Valuable Performer while the coaching staff led by Garry Laidlaw was named the league’s Coaching Staff of the Year.
WOMEN’S SOCCER: Central earned its second trip to the A-R-C semifinals in as many years after scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes to beat Wartburg College 3-2 in Waverly in the quarterfinals.
WOMEN’S TRIATHLON: At the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships, Central was third among Division III programs and led by a fifth-place finish for Luci Laidlaw ’26.
WOMEN’S TENNIS: At the A-R-C Individual Championships, Central’s Madison Price ’27 won the E-Flight singles bracket while Millie Wolfe ’29 and Rebekah Downs Christensen ’27 teamed up to win the Flight C doubles bracket.
VOLLEYBALL: Central advanced to the A-R-C tournament semifinals for the first time since 2016 and had three players selected for the all-conference squad: Colleen Kenney ’26, Kaitlyn Mumm ’27 and Leslie Snow ’27.
For an up-to-date schedule of all sports, visit athletics.central.edu/calendar.