The Saints kicked off the 2021 fall sports season with men's and women's cross country participating in the KCC Falcon Classic in De Soto, Kan., on Saturday morning, and men's soccer on the road at Ozark Christian College in Joplin.

Playing for the first time in five years after the men's soccer program was reinstated last year, the Saints knocked off the Ambassadors, 4-1, in a non-conference matchup.

Central Christian (1-0-0) got two goals from Connor Clime, while Lane Cater and Jonathon Sanchez scored a goal each. Davin Welsh had two assists and Gerson Ramos recorded one assist.

The Saints led 3-0 at halftime and scored their fourth goal early in the second half. Ozark Christian answered with their only score soon after, then the game was called approximately 15 minutes early due to lightning in the area.

At the Falcon Classic, men's and women's cross country had four runners compete against six other schools — Baptist Bible College, Calvary University, Cottey College, Faith Baptist Bible College, Kansas Christian College, and Ozark Christian College — on a wet and muddy course at Lexington Lake Park.

Demi Huck finished 11th in the 4-kilometer race with a time of 22:21. Ellena Thomas took 21st in a time of 36:07 and Stephanie Cabrera was 22nd with a time of 36:50.

On the men's side, the Saints' only runner was Sean Small, who finished 16th in the 5-kilometer race in a time of 31:56. 

Tina Defreitas has been named head men's and women's cross country coach at Central Christian College of the Bible, the Athletic Department announced Wednesday. Defreitas becomes the third head coach in the history of the cross country programs.

"Tina has a heart for Central Christian College of the Bible, is an experienced recruiter, and has a passion for running that makes this a great hire," CCCB Vice President of Enrollment Brian Taylor said. "We're looking forward to seeing her take the program to the next level."

Defreitas, a graduate of Central Christian, served three years as the Assistant Admissions Director for the College from 2006-09. She has spent the past 10 years as a teacher at both the preschool and elementary school levels, most recently teaching English to Chinese students.

Defreitas played basketball during her freshman year at Central Christian in 2003-04. She later became the women's basketball assistant coach at Central Christian from 2006-08. She has since served as a youth basketball coach, and helped launch and coach Moberly's first youth cross country team last fall.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the cross country coach for Central Christian College of the Bible," Defreitas said. "I am so excited to be able to combine my passion for running with my long time love of CCCB Athletics to help develop a program of student-athletes who will use the talents God has given them to bring Him glory!"

Defreitas graduated from Central Christian in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education.

Tina and her husband, Jack, have four children, Kirsten, Kara, Kameron, and Kacie. They reside in Moberly and are members at Timber Lake Christian Church.