MARQUETTE — The Manistique cross country teams continued to test themselves against strong competition here Friday, finishing in 11th place in both ends of the Queen City/Dale Phillips Invitational.

The Marquette boys edged East Kentwood 25-33 for the title. Third-place Houghton scored 103 points.

“East Kentwood is the largest school in Michigan this year and has real good downstate program,” Marquette coach Derek Marr said. “It’s amazing to have a school with more than 2,800 students and one (Chassell) with 50 competing in the same meet. The Chassell kids held their own.”

Benzie Central was girls’ champion at 58 and Marquette edged Houghton 65-68 for runner-up honors.

“Benzie Central has a great program,” Marr added. “They’re a perennial powerhouse downstate. We have some newer runners near the front of our pack. It’s good for them to get that experience.”

Marquette senior Seppi Camilli set the course record, covering the 3.1 miles in 15:59.9. He was followed by East Kentwood senior (16:17.9), Chassell senior Kalvin Kytta (16:40.8). East Kentwood senior Isaac Tanis (16:42.1) and Marquette senior Evan Balko (16:57.4).

“I just wanted to compete,” Camilli said. “I knew there would be one guy from East Kentwood up there with me. I surged on the hills and put the hammer down on the flat after the hills. He got out fast. I expected to be close to 16:30 and felt pretty confident throughout the race. It was a nice bonus to get the course record. I did a lot of hill work, which I think helped.”

Senior Ben Gilroy was Manistique’s leader in 28th (19:34.4).

East Kentwood junior Ava Lawrence took the girls’ race at 20:00.6. She was followed by Benzie Central senior Nora Grossnickle (20:31.4) and freshman Avery Kelly (20:31.8), Houghton junior Tessa Rautiola (20:37.6) and Marquette senior Monet Argeropoulos (21:02.4).

Junior Maya Carlson was Manistique pacesetter in 28th (23:31.1).

“This was a good experience,” she said. “I was surprised by the competition that was here, but this is what makes you get better. I wanted to be faster and felt I could have done better. I definitely have to work on my second mile. Medaling in this race is a plus.”

The Emeralds resume in Tuesday’s Gwinn Invitational which begins at 6:15 at Sawyer.

“I think both of our teams ran hard,” Emeralds’ coach Rebekah Gilroy. “We treat every race as practice for the U.P. (Division 2) Finals. Our goal is to peak for the Finals and work on our skills in every race.”

Boys

Marquette 25, East Kentwood 33, Houghton 103, Benzie Central 119, Stephenson 216, Ishpeming Westwood 220, Gogebic 222, Negaunee 231, Ironwood 243, Menominee 263, Manistique 271, Kingsford 299, Hancock 333. Gwinn, Chassell, Baraga and Ishpeming NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Seppi Camilli, Marquette, 15:59.9 (course record); 2, Evan Nickoles, East Kentwood, 16:17.9; 3, Kalvin Kytta, Chassell, 16:40.8; 4, Isaac Tanis, East Kentwood, 16:42.1; 5, Evan Balko, Marquette, 16:57.4; 6, James Barch, Marquette, 16:58.2; 7, Justin Johnson, East Kentwood, 17:01.3; 8, Peter Argeropoulos, Marquette, 17:08.6; 9, Rorik Holmquist, Marquette, 17:14.6; 10, Matti Tarekegn, East Kentwood, 17:16.2.

Girls

Benzie Central 58, Marquette 65, Houghton 68, East Kentwood 94, Hancock 152, Negaunee 168, Kingsford 214, Ironwood 233, Gogebic 234, Baraga 239, Manistique 298, Ishpeming Westwood 304. Menominee, Stephenson, Chassell, Ishpeming and Gwinn NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Ava Lawrence, East Kentwood, 20:00.6; 2, Nora Grossnickle, Benzie Central, 20:31.4; 3, Avery Kelly, Benzie Central, 20:31.8; 4, Tessa Rautiola, Houghton, 20:37.6; 5, Monet Argeropoulos, Marquette, 21:02.4; 6, Aubrey Smith, Ironwood, 21:09.8; 7, Evelyn Grant, Marquette, 21:16.8; 8, Ella Fure, Marquette, 21:22.6; 9, Sela Niska, Houghton, 21:45.9; 10, Alayna Godfrey, East Kentwood, 21:48.6.