Who you got between Iowa’s Rebekah Topham and Nebraskan Katie Spencer? And should we include Erin Lee in the equation over 1000 meters? Competing at different distances, all alone at their level. Doing some simple math it looks to be a dead heat on the two longer distances but Topham’s 2:20.64 800 might give her the final kick advantage over Spencer?
Going to give a tip to Reno Law with his state leading 1:56.02 800 and 3rd best time in the 1600 of 4:31.10. Reno will run for me some day. Also to Creighton Prep’s John Nownes, his 4:25.40/9:19.44 lead the state for the 1600/3200 double. Maybe I’ll throw a singlet on him in a few years too.
And a final grin to our DC West Falcon Mason Grinvalds, his 2:00.7 800 leads class B, 4th fastest in the state, his 50.7 ranks 2nd Class B in the 400, 4th in the state. In three years I could make state champions out of the Falcons.
Western Iowa Girls Track Leaders:
800 Meters
1. Rebekah Topham, Griswold 2:20.64
2. Lauren Van Dyke, Sioux City East 2:24.84
1500 Meters
1. Rebekah Topham 4:42.12
2. Alex Flippin, Griswold 5:00.35
3000 Meters
1. Rebekah Topham 10:26.29
2. Tiffany Williams, Atlantic 10:54.63
Nebraska Girls Track Leaders
800 Meters
1. Erin Lee, York HS 2:18.29
2. Lauren Houston, Burke 2:21.27
1600 Meters
1. Katie Spencer, Millard South 4:58.74
2. Erin Lee 5:14.99
3200 Meters
1. Katie Spencer 10:38.10
2. Megan Billington, Grand Island NW 11:15.69
The little girl barely visible off of Alice Schmidt’s shoulder, that’s Rebekah. Her dad petitioned to have her included in the elite field of the 2008 Omaha Mile. I’m glad I let her in. Our 2008 Nebraska USATF Road Mile Championships featured the fastest, deepest women’s field in the history of Nebraska. L to R, Ann Gaffigan (5:01) , Alice Schmidt (4:39), Rebekah Topham (5:18), Stacy Girard (4:42), Angee Henry (5:15), Anne Shadle (5:05) and Casey Owens (4:41). I would suggest that these times are all single age records for the state as well. Notice that I had set up race clocks each 1/4 mile to assist the athletes in reaching stellar times.
In the men’s open race that year a 19 year old ran 4:35 and I swore he too would some day run for me. I still hold out hopes on that.
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