MANISTIQUE - It was a tight race for the boys' team championship in Saturday's Manistique Invitational track meet as Marquette edged the host Emeralds 108-101.
Big Bay de Noc scored 26 points in the sixth annual event and Gwinn had 16.
Marquette secured the decision by winning the final three running events. Alex Gagnon took first in the 200-meter dash, Cole Rieboldt copped the 3200 (10:49.01) and the Redmen captured the 1600 relay on this sunny, but cool and breezy day.
"This was a real competitive meet," said Marquette coach Kyle Detmers. "We're a little shorthanded, but Manistique has a nice team. They have great coaches."
Rieboldt also took the 1600 (4:56.26) and Gagnon anchored the winning 1600 relay.
Manistique junior Kenner Broullire was a triple-winner, setting a meet record in the 300 hurdles in 41.49 and winning the 100 (11.82) and long jump (18-10).
Sophomore Ryan Ramey set a meet record in the 400 (53.35), edging Marquette's Dan Brisson by a half-step. Ramey, who was battling a sore throat and cold, also anchored the winning 3200 relay.
"I knew it was going to be neck and neck once we got into the home stretch," said Ramey. "I also knew there were three or four of us within seconds coming into this race, and I just ran with my competition. The wind was pretty strong coming into the finish. It was almost like we were running in place."
Marquette ran without ace sprinter Garrett Pentecost, who's dealing with lower back issues.
"Garrett is getting into shape," said Detmers."We didn't want to risk further injury on a cold day like this."
Lund opted to play it safe with Ramey, keeping him out of the 800.
"Ryan already wasn't feeling the greatest," she said. "We don't want to lose him. He and Kenner did a nice job. We were missing a few kids, but so was Marquette. All our guys did well."
The Marquette girls also won with 119 points, followed by Manistique 55, Gwinn 46 and Big Bay 20.
Shayla Huebner won the 400 (1:03.78) and 800 (2:29.28) and helped Marquette set a meet record in the 1600 relay at 4:25.56 and take the 3200 relay.
"Nichole Maki had a personal best in the 3200 by about 20 seconds," said Marquette coach John Peterson. "This is the first time she went under 13 minutes. This is also the first time we shot discus and placed in pole vault this year.
"We're a little disappointed we didn't see some of the larger schools, although we enjoy coming here. Manistique puts on a nice meet. Overall, we did a lot of good things. We're pleased with the direction we're going."
Kyra Lauzon won the 200 (28.96) and anchored the Emeralds win the 400 relay.
"We rely a lot on Kyra and Hannah (Bryant) and they had solid days," said Emeralds' coach Chris Marana. "And Monica Giles has really come around in shot. Marquette is just solid all the way around.
"We're very pleased the weather held out. We appreciate the efforts of all the workers and volunteers. They did a phenomenal job and we're thankful for the community support."
Gwinn's strongest event was long jump, where Lydia Asplund and Taylor Aho placed 1-2 at 14-3 1/2 and 14-2, respectively.
Senior Brittany Richard had Big Bay's lone first in the 3200 (12:39.42).
"It was nice to see Brittany do as well as she did," said Peterson, who coached track at Big Bay in the late 1990s.