GHV/WH captures two team titles; Toppin individual winner

The GHV/WH cross country teams proved to be forces to be reckoned with as  both teams brought home top honors from the Newman Catholic Meet on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

“I was very happy with the way both teams ran, their hard work during the summer showed,” said Coach Jeff Short.

The GHV/WH boys team captured first place in the 15-team field with 81 points.  Osage finished in second place, while Mason City, West Fork and Clear Lake took the other top five spots.

The GHV/WH girls team took top honors in a field of 13.  Osage, Iowa Falls-Alden, North Iowa, and Bishop Garrigan rounded out the top five.

The boys were led by senior Joel Toppin, who brought home the championship with a time of 16:26.  Chase Smith also ran a good race for the Cardinals, finishing in third place with a time of 16:49.  Rounding out the varsity runners were Derek Brown, 21st, 18:17; Logan Dalbek, 27th, 18:18; A.J. Arnold, 30th, 18:32; Derek Lonneman, 32nd, 18:37 and Anthony Siegrist, 42nd, 19:04.

Four members of the girl’s team finished in the top 10.  Maria Gonzalez paced the team with a sixth place finish in 16:49.  Tiara Van Gerpen was eighth with a time of 17:00, while Maribel Zamago and Maddie Tusha finished in ninth and 10th place respectively with times of 17:02 and 17:08.

“We need to just continue to work hard throughout the season, so we are ready for conference and the State Qualifying Meet,” said Short.