GLADSTONE - It was a day of celebration for 2002 Gladstone High School graduate Jamie Lyberg on Saturday as she was crowned women's champion in the Firecracker five-mile run.
Lyberg, who also attended her 10-year class reunion Saturday night, was clocked in 32 minutes, 56 seconds.
"It was a little hot out there, but overall it was a beautiful day and a beautiful course," said Lyberg, who now resides in Ada, Mich. "I've been competing in a lot of triathlons. This was a good training run in preparation for my next triathlon (at downstate Middleville on July 21)."
Lyberg was followed by daughter-mother combo Brittany and Jill Richard of Garden, who were clocked at 38:03 and 38:49, respectively.
Trevor Vetort of Cedar River was overall winner at 28:30, followed by Kyle Arvan of Gladstone (29:07) and Andrew Stenberg of Escanaba (29:14).
"I was going for a 27:30," said Vetort. "I think I would have had a 28 flat had I not followed the pace car. It was kind of discouraging when I found out I was going the wrong way. It was hot out there for sure. Yet, I felt real good."
The race, which took place under sunny conditions with temperatures near 80, drew a field of approximately 200.
Male
14 & under - Joey Wolfe, Escanaba, 37:13; 15-19 - Trevor Vetort, Cedar River, 28:30; 20-29 - Paul DeMay, Gladstone, 32:20; 30-39 - Jason Norden, Escanaba, 34:49; 40-49 - Pete Dollhopf, Manitowoc, Wis., 33:27; 50-59 - Gary Whitmer, Gladstone, 32:39; 60-69 - David Hunter, Cedar River, 42:56; 70 & over - Dick Jenkins, Escanaba, 58:03.
Female
14 & under - Leigha Woelffer, Gladstone, 46:25; 15-19 - Brittany Richard, Garden, 38:03; 20-29 - Jamie Lyberg, Ada, Mich., 32:56; 30-39 - Casey Young, Gladstone, 40:15; 50-59 - Donna Winkel, Manistique, 45:06; 60-69 - Kathleen Morse, Marquette, 48:31.