SIOUX FALLS – Running under the lights, Aberdeen Central junior Carson Ulacher finished just outside the top 10 in the boys’ race while Allie Novstrup cracked the top 30 in the girls’ division at the Augustana Twilight meet Friday night at Yankton Trail Park.

The annual event draws hundreds of competitors with more than 400 racers in the girls’ race, while the boys’ race topped the 500-runner mark, making Central’s top finishes even more impressive.

“Twilight is always a great meet to see where our guys are early in the season against a strong field of competition,” said Central boys’ coach Greg Murley.

Ulacher was less than a second out of a top-10 finish, while his time of 15:23.62 marked a new school record, Murley said. Ulacher upended former state champion Aaron Ryan for that top time.

Elsewhere, the Golden Eagles put three guys in the top 70 and all five of their scorers in the top 107. Esten Foss finished in 63rd, followed by Max Nelson in 71st, Ryder Davis at 105 and Kyson Fayant at 107.

That contingent helped Central to a ninth place showing in a field of 54 total teams.

“Our guys competed well,” Murley said. “All our varsity runners posted new PRs, as well as a lot of our junior varsity runners.”

Novstrup’s 29th place showing marked the lone Golden Eagle girl in the top 100, though Central’s next four finishers had a relatively tight pack time of less than a minute.

“I was very pleased with the day today,” said Central girls’ coach Eric Pedersen. “All of our varsity girls ran PRs, which was really great. We have had a solid group of kids putting in a lot of time on some hard reps in practice and they are starting the season well in competitions.”

Pedersen noted that Novstrup’s time was second on the team’s all-time 5K list, and only six seconds off of a school record.

“The top four girl finishers today are currently the top four times in the nation, so to go out and compete in a field of that caliber is a testament to these kids’ efforts,” he said.

Grace Preszler finished 144th for the Golden Eagles, followed by Allison Brenner at 179, Khloe Cochran at 198 and Evie Novstrup at 220.

“Grace cut over 2 minutes off her previous PR and she is definitely learning more and more how to race,” Pedersen said. “As an 8th grader, I couldn’t be happier with how she’s racing right now. Same goes for kids like Allison Brenner and Khloe Cochran.”

As a team, Central finished in 22nd place.

Central is set to host the annual Sahli-Salmi Invitational Thursday at Lee Park Golf Course.

“We will enjoy this race and all the fanfare it brings, but will put it behind us as we make preparations for the remainder of our season,” Murley said.