Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Alyssa Richman of Manson Northwest Webster runs in the Class 1A portion of the state cross country meet at Lakeside on Friday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Alyssa Richman saw an opening early in the Class 1A state cross country championships and took it.

The Manson Northwest Webster junior raced out to a third-place finish here at Lakeside Golf Course.

Noelle Steines of Calamus-Wheatland captured her third 1A title in 18:22.0 with North Linn senior Meghan Wheatley placing second in 18:35.6.

Steines confirmed that she would be attending Tipton, a 2A school, beginning next week, meaning Richman will be the highest-returning placewinner in 2024.

“Originally, my plan was to hang back until that 2.5 mile mark,” Richman said. “I soon realized that I had an opportunity to make a big move, and took it as soon as I got the chance. From there, I did my best to keep my foot on the gas and finish — in what ended up being a season best.”

Alta-Aurelia’s Nora Peterson, who topped Richman at the Twin Lakes Conference race, was fourth followed by Madrid’s Madelyn Grothus.

Behind Grothus and sixth place finisher Katelyn Brandhorst, the Tigers won their first ever team title over South Winneshiek, with Dyersville Beckman placing third.

South Central Calhoun’s Chloe Judisch secured her best finish, placing eighth. West Bend-Mallard’s Tyra Schupbach was 15th with North Union’s duo of Jacey Welbig and Alexis Cummins placing 26th and 27th.

A third North Union runner, Gavyn Morphew, was 83rd.

Richman, a three-time qualifier, has quickly climbed to the top of the pecking order. She was 33rd as a freshman in 21:14 and placed seventh last year in 19:24. Her time of 18:53.2 was eight seconds ahead of Peterson and a new personal-record, as she moved from 10th to third following the first mile and never looked back.

“Placing third is such a huge honor,” Richman said. “It was a goal I had coming into the season, and I am beyond grateful I was able to achieve that. Seeing the hard work I put into this season pay off has just made me realize how lucky I am.

“I’m able to race amazing competition in the Twin Lakes Conference. Nora Peterson, Chloe Judisch, Tyra Schupbach, and myself are all able to compete against each other during the regular season. We’re able to prepare each other for the big moments like this. We all finished in the Top-15 and we’re able to celebrate this accomplishment together.”

An opening mile split of 5:56.2 was followed up by a 6:15 for Richman, who was a district champion earlier this month. She also had a 10th place showing at the Fort Dodge Invitational on this very same course, competing against many of the 4A qualifiers who ran before her.

“The support from the community has meant so much,” Richman said. “A simple congratulations goes a long way, and I appreciate it so much. It wouldn’t be possible without a community like Manson; for that, I couldn’t be more thankful.

“I have two great coaches who have a great amount of knowledge in the sport, and an amazing group of teammates who have supported me in every step. I wouldn’t have wanted the season to end any other way.”

Richman’s finish is the highest for a girl in school history, topping the fourth by Maddie Moline in 2020. Taylor Huseman finished second in the boys race in 2010 for the Cougars.

Judisch, a senior, was 20th a year ago in the 2A race with a time of 20:15. She went 19:23.9 in her final cross country race, climbing from 16th to 11th after the first mile and moving up three more spots over the stretch run.

Schupbach added to her strong resume, as the sophomore went from 18th a year ago to the Top-15. She also knocked time off her race from a season ago, going from 20:00 to 19:44.7.

Welbig, a junior making her third state appearance, had a time of 20:16.6. She was 21st as a freshman and 29th last year. Cummins, a ninth-grader, posted a time of 20:16.8.

Morphew, a senior, clocked a time of 18:08.1.

Woodbine’s Landon Bendgen repeated as the individual race winner with Lake Mills capturing its first team title over ACGC and Woodbine.