The Gladbrook-Reinbeck 2026-27 cross country team. Pictured front row: (from left) Grayson Raffield, Colbie Roseland, Coach Jay Beichley, Caleb Pifkin, Braiden Sager, and Mason Wrider. Back row: (from left) Caleb Bowser, Tavin Rudden, and Campbell Gramer. PHOTO BY THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER PHOTOGRAPHY/TFD PHOTO

MARSHALLTOWN – Senior Caleb Bowser led the way for the Gladbrook-Reinbeck boys cross country team at the season-opening Bobcat Early Bird which took place Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Marshalltown Community College course.

Bowser placed 47th, crossing the finish line in 21 minutes, 40.5 seconds. Additional finishes for the Rebels included freshman Mason Wrider 67th (25:30.3), senior Campbell Gramer 68th (25:51.1), sophomore Braiden Sager 69th (26:08.2), senior Tavin Ruden 71st (26:26.8), and freshman Grayson Raffield 74th (31:08.5).

Bobcat senior Preston Johnson notched first place, easing across the finish line with a winning time of 16 minutes, 29.7 seconds. He had more than a 30-second cushion over runner-up Will VandenBosch from Pella Christian (17:01.3).

Class 2A No. 6 Pella Christian placed atop the field with 34 points, followed by 3A No. 20 Carlisle (58) and the host Bobcats (79). Newton (133) was a distant fourth, South Tama took sixth (150) and G-R was ninth (244).

The Rebels’ lone girls runner was Colbie Roseland, a freshman who placed 77th in 34:23.5.