Nordic girls end Rockets' track reign

By John Vrancic
RAPID RIVER — Sixteen years had passed since a North Dickinson girls’ track team took a victory lap after the Rapid River Invitational.

The Nordics earned their chance to take an extra lap Thursday by edging North Central 91-85 for the title. Bark River-Harris placed third with 69 points.

Rapid River, which had won the event 14 straight years, settled for a fifth-place tie with Crystal Falls Forest Park at 53.

North Dickinson’s Emily Lehto won long jump with a school-record leap of 16 feet and Megan Harper held off North Central’s Katie Granquist for the 800 title. Harper was clocked in two minutes, 32.02 seconds, with Granquist at 2:33.34.

“We needed those points,” said Nordics’ coach Mike Roell. “We also had a real solid effort from Kristin Luedtke. I never expected her to take second in high jump. She also gave us big points by taking second in shot put and helped our winning 1600 relay. Our field events were strong as usual, and we did enough damage in the running events.”

North Central’s Brooke Granquist was a triple-winner, dominating the 100-meter hurdles in 17.08 seconds and 300 hurdles (49.66) and taking the 200 dash (27.88).

“My legs felt better after a day off,” Granquist said after completing her third meet in four days. “After the 100 hurdles, I felt real good. I did some high jumping yesterday (Wednesday), which probably didn’t help me in the high jump today. But as a team, I think we did well.”

Superior Central’s Rebecca Joseph won high jump at five feet, three inches, which is believed to be a school record. Luedtke cleared 5-0 and Granquist placed third at 4-10.

Katie Granquist added a first in the the 1600 (5:38.02), pulling away from Big Bay de Noc’s Erin Holmberg in the final 300 meters. Holmberg then won the 3200 (12:49.73), with Katie runner-up (13:06.61).

“We had a very good showing,” said Jets’ coach Dave Granquist. “Brooke looked strong in the hurdles and 200, and we’re happy with Katie’s performance. I was really impressed with Amanda Arnold today. She really rose to the challenge. Brittany Bilski also had an excellent day and we got help from Krystal Piotraschke.”

BR-H’s Karrie Meyers won discus with a school-record toss of 119 feet and shot put (35-5).

“I’m real happy with that one,” Meyers said of her winning throw in discus. “I didn’t realize I threw it that far. At first, I thought they measured it wrong. I thought I also threw real well in shot put. I didn’t throw Wednesday, and I think the rest may have helped.”

Forest Park’s Maria Valesano won the 100 in a school-record 12.96 seconds and anchored the winning 400 relay.