Lucas Sundling

RAPID RIVER — The Rapid River boys continued to dominate their own track invitational Thursday, winning for at least the third straight time with 175 points.

Munising edged Stephenson 68-66 for the runner-up spot and North Central took fourth at 60 in the 41st annual event.

“The guys worked hard,” said Rapid River coach Steve Ostrenga. “Even though it was windy, we had nice overall performances. We can see the improvement from meet to meet with our guys. I’m excited about their improvement.”

The North Dickinson girls retained their title with 99 points, followed by Mid Peninsula 86, Stephenson 79 and Bark River-Harris 71.

“Our field events were the difference,” said Nordics’ coach Mike Roell. “We went 1-2 in shot and one and three in disc and Masyn (Alexa) got us a couple big firsts and a second in the sprints. The kids are coming together. This definitely gives us momentum going into next week. I thought Rapid River ran a quality meet. They do a great job over here.”

Alexa won the 200-meter dash in a school-record 27.13 seconds, shaving .05 second off the previous record by her mother (Chasity Alexa) in 1991.

“I just wanted to get one of her records,” said Masyn. “I think she might be more excited than I am. She has been waiting for this.”

The sophomore sprinter also won the 400 (1:06.31) and was runner-up to BR-H senior Jaelin Lockwood in the 100 on this sunny, windy and seasonably cool day.

“The 100 was real close,” said Masyn. “She (Lockwood) is a very good runner. She ran a good race. I definitely didn’t have my best time in the 400, but it’s still a win. The wind wasn’t too much of a factor in the 200, but it was in the 400. It was hard running into the wind in the back stretch.”

Tori Christian added firsts in shot put (31-10) and discus (85-3) for the Nordics.

Lockwood was clocked at 12.78 in the 100, with Stephenson’s Amanda Starzynski third in a photo finish. Lockwood also won long jump (16-6) and was runner-up in the 200.

Mid Pen freshman Daisy Englund took the 800 (2:42.19) and led off the winning the winning 400 (55.58) and 1600 relay (4:45.59).

“I didn’t really like the wind,” said Englund. “I was kind of nervous about running into it. It was really hard in the back stretch. It felt like I could have done better in the 800, although I thought we did real good in the 1600 relay.”

Rapid River senior Lucas Sundling set a school record in the boys’ 100 (11.23), topping the 41-year-old mark by Paul Thibault (10.9 in the 100-yard dash).

“Last year I ran an 11.29 and the record was 11.27 (through conversion),” said Sundling. “I was kind of surprised when I heard my time. I didn’t expect to be that close to it. My starts have been bad all year, so I try to use my speed to catch up.”

Sundling also took the 400 (53.91), helped the winning 800 relay (1:38.45) and was runner-up in the 200 to Stephenson junior Montel Glover, who also set a school record (22.23) and topped his previous mark (22.48) from a year ago.

“He (Glover) is one of a kind,” said Sundling. “He goes out so fast and gets such a big lead. I could definitely feel the wind in the back stretch in the 400, but still had a pretty good time. I’ve been doing the 400 forever. Last year I did the 200 and this year I started doing the 100. I’m still kind of new to it.”

Senior Cameron Willemsen added firsts in high jump (6-0) and the 800 (2:10.69) and Logan Hardwick captured shot put (46-3) and discus (143-0).

“Our field events were good across the board,” said Ostrenga. “I saw some excellent efforts out there. Kudos to all the people who helped and to Mr. (Rick) Pepin and Greg (Rubick) for putting everything together.”

North Central, which ran without its seniors (now on their class trip), got a first from junior Griffin Johnson in the 3200 (11:38.15).

“The wind on the back stretch was rough,” he said. “I almost tumbled off the track a couple times. I just put my head down and pushed through it. This is probably the worst day I’ve had for wind.”