(Photos by Ryan Christoffel, Sports Staff) Sioux Central's Andrew Lichter (left) and Nelson Middendorf lead a pack of runners Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, at the H-M-S Invitational in Sanborn. Both runners put together season's-best finishes, leading Sioux Central to its first team title of the year.

The Sioux Central girls turned in their top finish of the season Monday at the H-M-S Invitational, earning a runner-up finish behind Class 2A No. 4 George-Little Rock/Central Lyon by just five points.

The Rebels turned in the season's-best effort behind four top-10 performances, led by freshman Rachel Hamilton, who placed fourth in 16-minutes, 35 seconds. The Mustangs won yet another meet title on the strength of a meet-winning performance from Steph Wibben, the 2A state runner-up in 2007 and favorite for the title this season. Wibben was followed across the line by two of her teammates.

"We ran an outstanding race tonight," said Sioux Central head coach Chris Smith, who added that his young squad may have recorded the best average time for a 5-team squad in school history. "GLR-CL is an extremely talented squad; their top three runners placed first, second and third tonight, and we were within five points of them. That just shows the effort our girls made."

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn finished behind Sioux Central in third with 63 points, South O'Brien was fourth and Alta was fifth. Three teams were incomplete. Okoboji ran with just three runners, filling out an incomplete team for the third time this season.

"It's a classic case of bad luck -- we finally get Lucero (Smith) back, but Kristin (Ellrich) is out with an illness and Christina (Hesby) has a knee injury," said Okoboji head coach Brad Peter. "We just have to keep staying positive and running when we can. There is still time to get healthy before the conference meet."

Jen Rushton, Brandy Richards and Callie Buske finished consecutively in sixth, seventh and eighth for the Rebels. Brittny Rebhuhn placed 15th for Sioux Central's fifth score. All five of Sioux Central's top runners earned medals and turned in season's-best times.

Elise Knudtson placed 21st in 18:56 and Ashley Nelson was 31st in 19:59 for Sioux Central.

Ryan Christoffel of the Dickinson County News contributed to this story.

H-M-S Invitational

Team Standings

1. George-Little Rock/Central Lyon 35, 2. Sioux Central 40, 3. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 63, 4. South O'Brien 86, 5. Alta 142, T-6. Okoboji, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, and Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn incomplete.

Individual Results

4. Rachel Hamilton, Sioux Central, 16:35, 6. Jen Rushton, Sioux Central, 17:06, 7. Brandy Richards, Sioux Central, 17:22, 8. Callie Buske, Sioux Central, 17:23, 13. Lucero Smith, Okoboji, 18:07, 15. Brittny Rebhuhn, Sioux Central, 18:10, 18. Kaylee Schmeling, Okoboji, 18:45, 21. Elise Knudtson, Sioux Central, 18:56, 29. Jenna Johnson, Okoboji, 19:36, 31. Ashley Nelson, Sioux Central, 19:59.