(Photo by Jeff Hasselmann) Sioux Central freshman Rachel Hamilton (middle) races Pocahontas Area runners Michelle Hubbell (left) and Kristen Youngberg to the finish Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Woodlyn Hills Golf Course in Milford during the running of the Okoboji Invitational. Hamilton placed sixth overall in her first career varsity race. [Order this photo]

Three Sioux Central freshmen opened their careers in a big way Thursday in Milford, leading the Rebels to a third-place effort with three combined top 20 finishes, while the meet-host Pioneers placed sixth at the Okoboji Invitational.

Rachel Hamilton, Brandy Richards and Callie Buske made their mark at Woodlyn Hills in their first career meet, helping Sioux Central finish just 25 points off the pace of meet champion George-Little Rock/Central Lyon, who placed fourth in last year's Class 2A state meet. "We started the season with a bang this year," said Sioux Central head coach Chris Smith. "All seven of our varsity runners ran under 20 minutes, which hasn't happened since I have been the coach. I am extremely optimistic about the season."

Sioux Central scored 85 points, the Mustangs won with 62. Pocahontas Area scored 77 to finish second.

George-Little Rock/Central Lyon's Steph Wibben blistered the field with a time of 16-minutes, 22 seconds. The defending 2A state champion crossed the finish line 31 seconds ahead of runner-up Jessah Fiedler, also of G-LR/CL.

Hamilton turned in Sioux Central's top performance, placing sixth with a time of 17:17. Richards placed 14th in 18:32, eight seconds ahead of classmate Callie Buske, who finished in 17th. Elise Knudtson placed 23rd for Sioux Central in 19:19; Brittny Rebhuhn, Audrey Lichter and Ashley Nelson finished consecutively in 27th, 28th and 29th.

Okoboji was led by Kristin Ellrich, who clocked a time of 17:55 for 12th place. Lucero Smith was 19th in 18:54. Christina Hesby placed 35th, Jenna Johnson was 38th and Kaylee Schmeling was 44th for the Pioneers.

Okoboji Invitational

Team Standings

1. George-Little Rock/Central Lyon 62, 2. Pocahontas Area 77, 3. Sioux Central 87, 4. West Lyon 123, 5. South O'Brien 135, 6. Okoboji 148; Sibley-Ocheydan, H-M-S, Sioux Center, Granville Spalding and M-M-C incomplete.

Individual Results

6. Rachel Hamilton, Sioux Central, 17:17; 12. Kristin Ellrich, Okoboji, 17:55; 14. Brandy Richards, Sioux Central, 18:32; 17. Callie

Buske, Sioux Central,

18:40; 19. Lucero Smith,

Okoboji, 18:54; 23.

Elise Knudtson,

Sioux Central, 19:19;

27. Brittny Rebhuhn, Sioux

Central, 19:34; 28. Audrey

Lichter, Sioux Central, 19:39;

29. Ashley Nelson, Sioux

Central, 19:40; 35. Christina Hesby, Okoboji, 20:14; 38. Jenna Johnson, Okoboji, 20:32; 44. Kaylee Schmeling, Okoboji,

21:29.