Topham named Iowa Gatorade Track and Field athlete

CHICAGO — Griswold track and field runner and state champion Rebekah Topham was named the Gatorade Iowa Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year, last Wednesday.

Topham is the first recipient to win the Track and Field Athlete of the Year from Griswold High School.

By winning the state award, Topham is now a finalist for the National Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year award.

Topham was one of the top track runners for Griswold this season, winning three state titles (3,000, 1,500 and 800-meter races) during May.

Topham's wins helped Griswold win their second straight state track and field championship.

During April, Topham won two titles at the Drake Relays and also had a couple of top finishes at the Kansas Relays at the University of Kansas.

This isn't Topham's first Gatorade Iowa Athlete of the Year.

In January, the freshman was selected as the Gatorade Iowa Cross Country Runner of the Year, after winning the 1A State Cross Country Individual title.

Topham is joining recent Gatorade Iowa Girls Track and Field Athletes of the Year like Shelby Houlihan of East High School, Hannah Willms of Dike-New Hartford, Whitney Westrum of Waukee and Betsy Flood of Dowling Catholic.