Topham takes first as Griswold wins at Clarinda

 CLARINDA — The defending 1A state girls cross country champion Griswold Tigers won their regular season debut last Tuesday at the Clarinda Cross Country Invitational.

Griswold won the meet with a team score of 85 points, edging out both Harlan and Gretna by less than 10 points.

Two-time individual state champion Rebekah Topham started the season on a strong note with a win.

Topham ran a time of 13:11, finishing ahead of Harlan’s Bailey Kuhl, who ran a time of 13:39.

Leah Lappe was the only other Griswold runner in the top 10 as she ran a time of 14:23 to place seventh.

Alyx Flippin finshed just outside the top 10, but still medaled, placing 13th with a time of 14:54.

Bridget Mauer was 26th with a time of 15:52 and Kayla Kirchoff was 38th with a time of 16:17.

Alyssa Wyman and Joanna Topham were both in the top 50. Wyman was 43rd with a time of 16:26 and Topham was 48th with a time of 16:57.

The boys varsity team finished ninth with a point total of 278.

Tyrel Peters was the top finisher for the boys as he ran a time of 17:16 to place 38th. Jacob Maass was 45th with a time of 17:59.

Dusty Meek placed 58th with a time of 19:07, while Grant Haynes was 67th with a time of 19:58.

Joseph Turack ran a time of 20:27 to place 70th.

For Griswold junior varsity, Jeana Freund was the top finisher, placing 11th with a time of 17:02.

Danika Kentner had the only other top 20 finish for girls junior varsity as she took 19th with a time of 17:48.

Faith Rossell missed out on the top 20 as she took 21st with a time of 17:54.

Tatum Dolph was 30th with a time of 18:56, Micah Mace finished 35th and Madison Mace placed 37th.

Griswold was in Red Oak Monday for the cross country meet. Results weren’t available as of press time.

Saturday, Griswold goes to Carroll to compete in Kuemper Catholic’s cross country meet.