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By John Vrancic
Daily Press
NORWAY -- The Norway Invitational boys' track title stayed home for the third straight year as the Knights again finished on top with 121 points here Monday.
They were followed by Stephenson 97, Northwood Storm 66 and North Central 61.
"Our kids did very well," said Norway coach Al Trudeau. "Mitch Legrave did real well. Our pole vaulters were real good and our relays were good, especially the sprint relays. Everybody ran hard and we had a couple PBs (personal bests). It's always nice to win your home meet."
The North Dickinson girls were crowned champions with 111 1/2 points, followed by Stephenson 90, Bark River-Harris 81 and Carney-Nadeau 56.
"We had a solid day," said Nordics' coach Mike Roell. "We really competed well. We scraped and scratched and got enough points to win. Everybody contributed. Some of our younger runners are settling into their spots and the veteran runners are doing what they need to do. Winning three field events kind of jump-started us and we ran some good times today. It was a nice day and Norway did a nice job with this meet."
Legrave won the boys' 100-meter dash in 11.27 seconds and long jump at 19 feet, five inches and anchored the winning 400 relay.
Stephenson senior Montell Glover took the 200 (22.93), edging Legrave by .07 seconds.
"I had a big lunge at the end (in the 200)," said Glover, who also won the 400 (53.12) and anchored the winning 800 and 1600 relays. "It felt like we were pretty even the whole race. We were fortunate enough to have a big lead when we got to the last leg of the 800 and 1600 relays. You can definitely relax when you have a big lead and my teammates make it easy for me."
C-N junior Jake Blahnik copped high jump (5-8) and BR-H senior Colton Brunette won discus (108-8).
The girls' 100 was nearly as tight as it could be with Stephenson senior Amanda Starzynski winning in 13.37, followed by BR-H senior Hailee Demers (13.4) and North Dickinson's Masyn Alexa (13.59).
Starzynski also took the 200 (27.21) and long jump (15-11).
"I thought everything went pretty good," she said. "My starts went real well and we had a perfect day for it. The temperature was just right. I think the long jump also went pretty well. I was getting good elevation."
Demers captured the 300 hurdles (49.5) and anchored the winning sprint relays.
"We finally had some nice weather," she said. "Your legs work much better on a day like this than in cold weather. The 100 was a close one. With Amanda and Masyn it's scary. Everything is so close. Our relay handoffs are getting better. I think we're getting the right steps."
Coach Katina Demers was happy with the Broncos' effort.
"I'm very proud of the effort," she said. "Everyone's times came down. We had a lot of good runs today. Hailee had a good day again. It's nice to have your leaders step up. The glide is working well for Gracie (Peterson) in discus and Makenna Lockwood had a very strong day."
Alexa took the 400 (1:03.25), Nordics' teammate Skye Ledzian won shot put (31-3) and discus (83-0) and Hannah Clark added a first in pole vault (7-0).
Superior Central junior Danika Walters copped the 800 in a personal-best 2:34.81 and 1600 (5:50.34).
"I just kept up my confidence and made sure I stuck with the game plan," said Walters, who shattered her previous PR (personal record) in the 800 by 10 seconds. "I also felt pretty good in the 1600. Although, my time today wasn't what I usually do. Today's races were mostly about strategy. I just try to focus on what I'm trying to accomplish."
Most area teams resume in Thursday's Rapid River Invitational or Friday's Munising Invite.