Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Escanaba’s Derek Douglas approaches the finish line Sept. 28, 2019 to take first place for the boys in the Rapid River Invitational at Rapid River.

MARQUETTE — Escanaba’s Derek Douglas was very much in the hunt for an individual title in the Dale Phillips Invitational cross country meet here Friday.

The senior harrier, who kept pace with the leaders nearly the entire Division 1 boys’ race, covered the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 57.5 seconds.

Marquette sophomore Carson Vanderschaaf earned top honors at 17:44.3, followed by twin brother Colin Vanderschaaf (17:51.1) on this sunny, breezy and cool day at Presque Isle Park.

The Redmen, who placed seven among the top nine, were crowned team champions with 19 points. They were followed by Houghton 58, Esky 85 and Menominee 99.

“The Marquette boys looked phenomenal,” said Houghton coach Traci Welch. “Our numbers are real big this year. We have 27 boys and 25 girls which makes us very competitive. We’re pleased with where we’re at right now.”

Houghton’s leader was senior Branden Peterson in sixth (18:40.2). Senior Landen Clausen was Menominee’s pacesetter in 13th (19:27.7) and junior Luke Ruble led Kingsford in 16th (19:53.7).

The Marquette girls also won with 52 and Houghton edged Westwood 64-68 for the runner-up spot.

“Runner-up to Marquette, we’re all right with that,” said Welch. “We have some work to do, but the girls were real close. It seems like we’ve been pretty good about peaking at the right time.”

Westwood sophomore Heidi Meglathery won at 21:21.4, followed by Menominee junior Hayden Buck (21:43.5), Marquette senior Olivia Moffitt (21:45.7), Kingsford senior Melanie Wenzel (21:46.4) and Houghton junior Ingrid Seagren (21.46.8).

“I was a little disappointed in my time,” said Seagren. “I didn’t warm up enough. Although, I tried to stick with the Marquette girls and I’m pretty happy with where I placed. There was a lot of good competition here. It was a little windy, but we had ideal temperatures.”

Esky was led by sophomore Morgan Makosky in 32nd (25:04.2).

In Division 2-3 girls, Mid Peninsula senior Daisy Englund was the area’s leader in seventh (23:08.8) and junior teammate Landry Koski was 11th (23:57.7).

“I’m very disappointed in my time,” said Englund. “I had only three practices before this. I have a pulled muscle in my right calf which has been ongoing for four weeks. I plan to rest it this weekend.”

Ishpeming freshman Lola Korpi won for the second straight week at Presque in 20:11, followed by Chassell senior Gwen Kangas (22:21.1), Hancock junior Sierrah Driscoll (22:24.8), Chassell junior Kamryn Sohlden (22:35.7), Ishpeming junior Taylor Longtine (22:44.8) and Stephenson senior Kylee Kuntze (22:44.8).

Sophomore Madisen Begovac was Superior Central’s leader in 17th (24:41.2) and sophomore Clara Gilroy paced Manistique in 29th (27:37.3).

Chassell won with 42 points, followed by Hancock 55 and Stephenson 80.

The Ishpeming boys took the title with 22 points, followed by Newberry 45 and Stephenson 83.

“I’m very pleased with the boys,” said Newberry coach Lori Fair. “They’ve been working real hard. There has been a lot of uncertainty due to Covid-19, but we’re starting to jell as a team.”

Newberry senior Ephram Evans won in 18:23.4. He was followed by Ishpeming senior David Liimatta (18:31.5) and Chassell senior Kolson Kytta (18:40.4).

“I wanted to break 18, but this is a pretty tough course,” said Evans. “It was pretty interesting. I had four guys right behind me. It feels pretty good to bring home a W. The Ishpeming boys are tough, but they have a target on their back. We’re going to keep going after them.”

Ishpeming and Newberry occupied most of the top 12 places and were followed by Stephenson sophomore Ethyn Lusardi (20:05.3). Manistique sophomore Grant Mason took 19th (21:31.4) and sophomore Lucas Swetich led Superior Central in 30th (24:17.3).