-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Alyssa Richman of Manson NW Webster compete in girls 5k run during Dodgers Invitational on Thursday at Lakeside Golf Course

Alyssa Richman viewed Thursday’s Fort Dodge Invitational as a challenge for herself heading into the final stretch of the cross country season.

The Manson Northwest Webster sophomore scored a 10th-place finish in a field featuring many of the top Class 4A runners in the state, clocking a time of 18:55.0 to set a personal-record.

“There’s no better place than Fort Dodge to do that,” Richman said. “I went out relatively conservative in that first mile and just picked girls off from there. I was also able to grab the 10th place spot, so heading into postseason it is a great confidence booster.”

Johnston’s Olivia Verde won the race in 17:50, leading the Dragons to the team title over Dallas Center-Grimes and West Des Moines Valley. Johnston is the top-ranked 4A team in the state with Dallas Center-Grimes fifth.

The field also featured seven other ranked 4A schools and four more in 3A including No. 2 Gilbert and third-ranked Adel-ADM.

Richman is ranked third in 1A as an individual. The Cougars were 23rd overall.

Freshman Raygin Anderson finished 145th in 23:09 with Tia Brennan placing 161st in 24:12. Amber Aljets (165th/24:46), Bianca Aquino (171st/26:44) and Ella Niewoehner (173rd/26:53) also ran.

“I’m really grateful to not only race against 4A competitors, but race against 4A competitors on the state course,” Richman said. “Knowing that there will always be people to push you at any given point in the race is incredibly reassuring.

“Class 1A is full of both incredible individuals and teams this year, and I hope to be back here in a few weeks.”

Claire Helmers of Ames was the runner-up followed by Ankeny Centennial’s Anika Mohrhauser.

West Des Moines Dowling took home team gold in the boys event followed by Ankeny and Johnston. Ethan Zuber of Ankeny won the individual race in 15:10 ahead of Sioux City North’s Natnael Kifle.

Zuber finished in 15:10.1 with Kifle crossing in 15:10.3. Zuber is currently ranked first in 4A and Kifle is second.

Thatcher Oswald, a freshman, was the top finisher for the Manson NW boys, placing 134th in 17:55. Carson Widlund (167th/18:56), Jack Hoeppner (181st/19:58), Owen Eldridge (193rd/21:01), Ryker Gjerstad (194th/21:04), Brody Proctor (198th/21:32) and Johnny Hyink (200th/24:39) rounded out the runners.