MUNISING — Drew Hughes continued to finish well ahead of the pack here Tuesday, earning his seventh victory this season in the Munising El Harger Memorial Invitational cross country meet.

The Gladstone junior covered the 3.1-mile course at the Pictured Rocks Golf & Country Club in a personal-best 16 minutes, 22.4 seconds on this sunny and mild day.

“This is a speed course,” said Hughes, whose previous PR (16:29) took place Sept. 18 at downstate Holly. “I feel really awesome about it. Even though it’s only by a few seconds, I’m really happy. After the first mile, I just wanted to keep that pace going. I like the weather today. The breeze was nice, and it helped cool me down.”

Hughes, who ran a 5:09 mile split, was followed by four Marquette runners.

Junior Colin Vanderschaaf was runner-up (17:17.9), and senior Luke Janofski was third (17:25.3).

Marquette became Division 1 champ with 20 points, followed by Escanaba 77 and Gladstone 85.

The Marquette girls edged Negaunee 36-41 for the title, and third-place Gladstone had 82.

“Negaunee is absolutely a challenge,” said Marquette coach Kyle Detmers. “They ran a good race, and we did, too. When a team places 1-2-3, it’s not easy to make that up, but our pack paid off for us. This is a good, fast course. We’re trying to peak at the end.”

Negaunee grabbed the top three places, with freshman Marlee Plaxco winning at 21:07.1.

“I was just so impressed with their performance today,” said Negaunee coach Vickie Poupore. “I’m just so excited to see them take the top three places. They did everything they needed to do. In the last three meets, they’ve been running with more confidence, and they’re pushing each other more. I couldn’t be prouder of their effort.”

Plaxco was followed by junior Endla Harris (21:31.4) and Lauren Ossenheimer (21:34.4).

“I tried to stick with Endla,” said Plaxco. “As a team, we felt we had a chance and ran as a pack. Staying close with Marquette gives us some confidence. We feel pretty motivated. We just have to work hard in practice. The golf course is wide open, and it felt hot in the sun. Although, the wind felt good.”

Harris overcame some adversity en route to her runner-up finish.

“It was hard, but going 1-2-3 was really good,” she said. “My legs were tired, and I got a little light-headed in the end. Marlee and I went out at a 6:20 pace, which is a little harder than I’m used to.”

Esky senior Ciara Ostrenga was the area’s top finisher in eighth at 21:56.3.

“I wanted to go out a little harder today,” she said. “I ran the first mile a little faster than usual (6:32), and it helped carry me through the second mile. I think this could give me a little momentum going into the last three races.”

See HUGHES on Page 6B