MANISTIQUE — The opening week of cross country has been exciting for the Manistique boys, to say the least.

Manistique was crowned champion in Tuesday’s Munising Invitational, then earned runner-up honors in the Engadine Rock & Roll Relays Wednesday.

“The guys did great,” said coach Rebecca Gilroy. “I was impressed with our Munising meet. I thought some of the teams would be a little stronger, but the boys are motivated and have the drive to win.”

Division 2 all-state selection and senior Grant Mason and all-state sophomore Ben Gilroy were the overall winners at Naubinway, covering the six-mile course in 35 minutes, six seconds. All-state senior Austin Mischel and All-Upper Peninsula senior Jacob Berry placed fifth, and sophomore Blake Mason and senior Kirk Slater took 10th.

Other hopefuls are senior Alex Ziemba and freshman Ashton Vincent.

“Ashton is looking pretty strong,” said coach Gilroy. “He ran jayvee at Munising but should be up in the top seven. Grant and Ben ran real well at Engadine. They were two minutes ahead of the second-place team.”

The Emeralds resume in the Dale Phillips Invitational Thursday at 11 a.m. in Marquette.

“We were able to purchase new uniforms, and the Booster Club helped us out,” said coach Gilroy. The win at Munising boosted morale. The boys are setting some goals on dropping quite a bit of time. They want to win it all now. We’re trying to change the culture of Manistique sports.”

The girls ran a three-person relay Wednesday, with senior Clara Gilroy and all-state sophomore Calista Watchorn and Alexia Slater placing eighth.

Freshman Mya Carlson, who also plays volleyball, took fourth at Munising.

Joining them is sophomore Ashton Smith.

“The girls are young, although Mya had a real good race at Munising,” said coach Gilroy. “We’re waiting on a few more to complete their physicals.”

The Emeralds host their invitational Sept. 7 at the Schoolcraft County Fairgrounds, then travel to Newberry Sept. 10.

Coach Gilroy points to the Negaunee and Gladstone boys as the teams to beat in the Mid-Peninsula Conference.

“Ishpeming tends to be strong with the Korpi girls,” she said.

The remaining schedule:

Sept. 1 — Marquette Dale Philips Invitational; Sept. 7 — Manistique Invitational; Sept. 10 — Newberry Invitational; Sept. 17 — Superior Central Invitational; Sept. 21 — St. Ignace Invitational; Sept. 24 — Rapid River Invitational; Sept. 27 — Munising Invitational.

Oct. 1 — Sault Ste. Marie Invitational; Oct. 4 — Gladstone Invitational at Flat Rock; Oct. Rudyard Invitational; Oct. 17 — M-PC meet at Negaunee; Oct. 22 — U.P. Finals at Flat Rock.