HIGGINSVILLE – Richmond senior Jude Rumbaugh sensed he had the boys 1,600-meter run in the bag as the finish line neared Tuesday at the Hoefer-Husker Invitational. Joshua Townsend of Green Ridge challenged Rumbaugh for the lead during the four-lap race. But Rumbaugh knew Townsend “was breathing real hard and trying to stay with me,” he said. Rumbaugh responded by pulling away to win in 4 minutes, 55.35 seconds. Townsend finished in 4:58.41. “He ran a very smart race in the wind. … He ran a strong first half of the race, and then he … was able to finish it up, which is good,” Spartans distance runners coach Steve Houck said. A strong opening lap is key to managing the wind, Rumbaugh said. “And then, (with the) second and third, (you) just try to keep a good pace the rest of the time,” he said. “And (the) fourth lap (you) start picking it up – and then the last about 200, give it everything you have.” Rumbaugh also won the 800 in 2:13.26. His victories helped Richmond win the boys…