The freshman harrier won the 110-meter hurdles in a school-record 15.51 seconds and 300s (42.14) and was runner-up in the 200 (24.12) in a meet which was moved about 60 miles south due to leftover snow cover at Marquette.

“I was a little nervous before the 110 highs,” he said. “I took a digger in Escanaba (in last Thursday’s Delta County Invitational) and got scraped up pretty good. This was quite a workout. I’ll sleep good tonight.”

Marquette was crowned champion with 157 points, followed by Gladstone 110, Iron Mountain 89 1/2, Houghton 76 and Negaunee 59 1/2.

The Marquette girls also won at 145, followed by Negaunee 105, Houghton 96, Iron Mountain 71 and Gladstone 44.

Mike Mattson | Daily Press Gladstone’s Saige Sisson gets ready to launch the discus in the Marquette Invitational at Marble Athletic Field. Sisson finished fourth in discus and runner-up in the shot put.

Negaunee sophomore Emily Paupore captured the 1600 in a school-record 5:15.34 and 3200 at 11:30, just three days after winning in a school-best 11:11 in Grand Rapids.

“I felt pretty fresh, but need to work on my pacing in the 1600,” she said. “I went out a little too hard, then just maintained my pace. I’m more of a longer distance runner. The meet in Grand Rapids was really fun. Five girls went under 12 minutes and one was just three seconds behind me. They definitely pushed me hard. Today, I was looking to have fun in the 3200, although I still pushed myself.”

Houghton senior Clayton Sayen won the boys’ 200 (23.24) on this breezy and mild day.

“He’s pretty fast,” said Thibault. “He’s just faster overall. Although, everything went okay. I improved all my times. I’m anxious to see how much I improve. I plan on getting faster each year. I’m just working toward the (Division 1) regional. That’s the pinnacle of the season.”

Sayen also captured the 100 (11.71) and 400 (50.92) and helped the Gremlins place second in the 3200 relay (8:35.28).

Mike Mattson | Daily Press Houghton’s Clayton Sayen won the 100, 200 and 400.

“The 100 was interesting,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I was in third place at 60 meters and just relied on my top end speed. My left calf was tight in the 200. I just wanted to get through it. This really felt like another season-opener. We haven’t had a meet since April 5. Losing the NMU meet (due to a snowstorm April 17) was unfortunate. It felt good to be able to compete again.”

Houghton coach Dan Juntilla continues to be impressed with Sayen’s effort.

“This is the first time Clayton ran the 100 and he ran a two flat in the 3200 relay,” he said. “The biggest thing is his work ethic. He’s a good student and good kid. This was our first outdoor meet and a lot of young kids had a good day for us.”

Gladstone junior Adam Bruce copped the 3200 in a school-record 9:52, topping the previous best (9:57.8) by Dan Bovin in 1988. Bruce also placed second in the 1600 (4:36.4) and helped the Braves take second in the 1600 relay (3:47.42).

“I felt ready and tried to dig as deep as I could (in the 3200),” said Bruce, who ran a 4:49 split in the first mile. “It was nice to have that cushion. I figured if I could do 75-second laps the rest of the way, I’d be fine. The last lap felt like one of the longest in my life. It’s awesome to break one of the oldest records. I was just glad to get under the 10-minute mark. Just to do it in my hometown feels great. Everybody including my teammates and coach Whitmer is so supportive.”

Senior James Young provided the Braves with a first in pole vault (11-0) and Jared Demeuse added another in discus (123-6).

“This was definitely a good day for us,” said Whitmer. “Adam did a great job in the distances. Calvin did well in the 200 on very little rest after the 300 hurdles, and Jared had a nice throw in disc. I think our hurdles also did real well.”

Marquette junior Raphael Millado copped high jump (6-0) and long jump (19-6). John Skendzel took shot put (41-5) and senior Garrett Rudden won the 1600 (4:32.93).

“I was real happy with our 3200 relay,” said Marquette coach Kyle Detmers. “All of our guys went under 2:10. Garrett wasn’t feeling the greatest, but still won the 1600. John did real well in the weight events and Rocky (Millado) did a nice job for us in high jump and long jump. Our guys gave a great effort. I just want to give a shout out to Gladstone for hosting this meet. That’s what we do in the U.P. We help each other out.”

Marquette’s Delaney Sall dominated the girls’ 400 (1:02.19) and helped the winning 1600 (4:32.91) and 3200 relays (10:35.62).

Negaunee senior Clara Johnson then held off Sall for the 800 title by .01 second.

“In a race like that it all comes down to who has more left in the end,” said Johnson, who was clocked at 2:30.96. “Both of us have great kicks, but it was pretty windy coming into the finish and I just knew I had to gut it out. She was right on my heels the whole time. It’s fun to run against Delaney. She’s a good runner.”

Iron Mountain had a double-winner in Taylor Talerico, who took the 300 hurdles (52.23) and high jump (4-6).

Gladstone was led by senior Saige Sisson’s runner-up finish in shot put (32-8) and freshman Ahna Larson’s second in the 400 (1:05.74).