POWERS — It was Superior Central’s turn to shine here Monday as its girls’ cross country team earned top honors in the North Central Invitational.

The Cougars, who won for the first time since Sept. 11, placed five among the top 11 and scored 36 points. Runner-up Stephenson had 78.

“The girls did a real good job,” said Cougars coach Holly McDonnald. “I think this is a confidence builder going into the U.P. (Division 3) Finals.”

Mid Peninsula senior Landry Koski collected her fifth straight victory, covering the 3.1-mile course in 22 minutes, 6.3 seconds on this sunny and warm afternoon.

“It was hot, but I felt pretty good,” said Koski. “I had a few cramps in my ribs. Maybe I didn’t drink enough water. I think I have some momentum going into the Finals (Saturday at Marquette). I have the right mindset. I’m praying for cooler weather. It (forecast) sounds like heaven right now. We’ve had a real warm season.”

The Stephenson boys brought home the championship trophy after placing five in the top six and scoring 17 points. They were followed by Norway 67 and Rapid River 83.

“The course was flatter today,” said Stephenson coach Kate Kuntze. “I thought we’d have some faster times. The boys have been going back and forth (within the ranks). I get excited for the Finals. Hopefully, we’ll get some adrenalin and run little faster times.”

Stephenson junior Griffin Brown won in 19:31.4, followed by teammates Ethyn Lusardi (19:59.74) and Tyler Engel (20:11.9).

“I was pretty happy with my time,” said Brown. “I ran a little better today. This course is a good tune-up for the Finals. It has a lot of rolling hills. I’d say it’s a pretty good advantage running on a course like this. At Marquette, there’s a lot of rolling hills and they kind of sneak up on you. I think we’re ready, and the coaches did a good job getting us ready.”

Holy Name freshman Joe Carlson placed fourth at 20:15.9, and Stephenson’s Buckley Corey was fifth (20:37.71).

“I’m happy with how today’s meet went,” said Carlson. “I just wanted to run hard, especially with this being our last race. I’ve learned more this year than any other year. We had to get used to the longer distances. We’ve really become closer as a team. Our coach (Keith Whitman) loves running and coming into the school. We didn’t really know each other.”

North Central sophomore Gracie Kleikamp placed second in the girls’ race at 24:01.43, followed by Stephenson’s Kayela Putnam (24:05.78), Superior Central’s Bree Swajanen (24:27.43) and Rapid River freshman Emma Sundling (25:43.58).

“I know Mid Pen has a girl who’s an amazing runner, and Kayela is also very good,” said Kleikamp. “I just pushed myself to the limit. Stephenson has a real strong team, and I try to push myself to beat them. I thought we had pretty good weather conditions. I would like to have had it a few degrees cooler. Otherwise, we had ideal running conditions.”

Boys

Stephenson 17, Norway 67, Rapid River 83. Superior Central, Mid Peninsula, Holy Name and Norway NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Griffin Brown, Stephenson, 19:31.4; 2, Ethyn Lusardi, Stephenson, 19:59.74; 3, Tyler Engel, Stephenson, 20:11.9; 4, Joe Carlson, Holy Name, 20:15.9; 5, Buckley Corey, Stephenson (20:37.71); 6, Donny Strazzinski, Stephenson, 20:41.93; 7, Jace Holmio, Rapid River, 20:46.74; 8, Jesse Sampson, North Central, 21:12.08; 9, Brent Lagina, Norway, 21:18.21; 10, Jacob Ross, Stephenson, 21:41.02.

Girls

Superior Central 36, Stephenson 78. Mid Peninsula, Rapid River, Holy Name, North Central and Norway NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Landry Koski, Mid Peninsula, 22:06.3; 2, Gracie Kleikamp, North Central, 24:01.43; 3, Kayela Putnam, Stephenson, 24:05.78; 4, Bree Swajanen, Superior Central, 24:27.43; 5, Emma Sundling, Rapid River, 25:43.58; 6, Calla Porter, Superior Central, 25:47.11; 7, Emma Rutter, Superior Central, 26:07.14; 8, Maddie Begovac, Superior Central, 26:35.43; 9, Kara Solander, Stephenson, 26:54.43; 10, Shae Lampinen, Mid Peninsula, 27:48.58.