Freshman Rebekah Topham of Griswold is the 2011-12 Gatorade Iowa Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.  Topham is the first Gatorade Iowa Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year winner from Griswold High School.

The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, good character and academic achievement.

The 5-foot-7 inch distance runner and hurdler won three individual state championships this spring, leading the Tigers to the Class 1-A state team title.  She took the titles in the 800 meters, the 1500 meters and the 3000 meters.  She was also second in the 400 meter hurdles.  Topham also placed sixth in the 1500 meters at the USA Track & Field Junior National Championships this month.

Topham is also a 4.0 student, volunteers at a nursing home and is a vacation bible school counselor.

Topham also won the Iowa Gatorade award last fall for the cross country season.  She is a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year award to be announced in this month.