The term 'FINISH IN THE TOP THREE' can be summarized by two crossword solutions: MEDAL and PLACE. MEDAL is a five-letter word that refers to an award given to recognize achievement, usually in the form of a metal object such as gold, silver, or bronze. PLACE is also a five-letter word that refers to a particular position or location, often used to describe the ranking of a competitor in a race or competition. Therefore, the term 'FINISH IN THE TOP THREE' can be interpreted as achieving a MEDAL ranking of either gold, silver, or bronze in a race or competition.