MUNISING — It was a tough day for area cross country teams here Saturday as only four local runners made the podium in the Upper Peninsula Finals.

Rock Mid Peninsula sophomore Aesara Lupinski was the top area finisher, placing seventh in the Division 3 girls’ race.

Pickford junior Talya Schreiber won the 3.1-mile race on the Pictured Rocks Golf Course in 18:48.8, followed by Newberry sophomore Abby Taylor at 19:49.1 and junior Samantha Taylor (19:55.9) on this sunny and mild day.

Lupinski was clocked at 21:53.6 and Rapid River eighth-grader Julia Poma was 18th (23:06).

“This is a little different from last time,” she said. “I worked on breathing through my nose and my dad’s oatmeal cookies provided me with some nutrition. It was definitely a relief to get under 22 minutes. This is a big confidence boost. I’m pretty happy about that.”

The D-1 boys’ race by far featured the fastest times in which Sault Ste. Marie junior Gabe Litzner set the all-time U.P. record at 15:14.4 with his third straight title.

Marquette senior Seppi Camilli ran the second best time in U.P. Finals history at 15:34.7, followed by classmate James Barch in 15:57.8 for the fifth best all-time.

“I came into this race very nervous,” Litzner said. “I knew Seppi was going to give me a good race. I felt the way to beat him was to stick with him in the first mile. I didn’t want to wait until the last mile or 800 meters. He’s very fast. I knew he would kick it in during the last mile. Adrenalin got me through the whole race, especially today. I knew it was going to be hard. It’s exciting to be part of U.P. history. It feels really great. I love running with these guys.”

The top nine finishers were clocked under 16:30.

Marquette captured its sixth consecutive title with 20 points, followed by Sault 56, Houghton 89 and Gladstone 123.

Litzner’s time in last year’s Finals (15:56.6) at Flat Rock currently stands fourth all time.

Colton Yesney of Negaunee set the previous record at 15:49, also at Flat Rock in 2016, which now ranks third.

Powers North Central sophomore Ben Nault reached the podium in 15th (17:39.1). Gladstone junior Austin Corey placed 17th (17:42.9) and senior William Weise was Escanaba’s leader in 30th (18:59.59).

The Marquette girls edged Houghton 30-32 for its third consecutive crown. Third-place Negaunee had 114 points.

Houghton junior Tessa Rautiola earned her second title at 19:31.3, followed by Marquette junior Ella Fure (19:44.2) and Houghton senior Sela Niska (19:51.8).

North Central senior Hope Varoni was the area pacesetter in 18th (21:52.2). Gladstone sophomore Joselyn Mills took 20th (22:21.2) and Esky senior Mary Hook was 21st (22:26.4).

Manistique senior Ben Gilroy placed 10th in boys’ D-2 (18:38.4).

“This wasn’t my best run,” he said. “I hoped for a better time, but couldn’t have asked for a better team. Most of our team PR’d. This is a good way to conclude 10 years of cross country. It’s a little sad to see it end.”

Painesdale Jeffers collected its fourth straight title with 33 points, followed by Rudyard 81, Ironwood 84 and Munising 90.

Munising senior Dan Goss won at 16:43, followed by Jeffers junior Cameron Anderson (16:55.2) and Rudyard junior Steven Kirschner (17:23.4).

The Hancock girls also won for the fourth consecutive time with 35 points. They were followed by Baraga 67 and Munising 97.

Ironwood senior Aubrey Smith earned top individual honors in 19:57, followed by Hancock senior Ella Keranen (20:22.9) and Gogebic (Wakefield-Marenisco) senior Alyssa Shirkey, who has drawn recruiting interest from Bay College at 21:13.2.

Manistique senior Calista Watchorn led area runners in 20th (24:29.8).

Ewen-Trout Creek was crowned D-3 champion for the first time with 54 points, followed by Engadine 100 and defending champion Chassell 102.

The Engadine boys were also first-time winners with 82 points. They were followed by Stephenson 82, defending champ Dollar Bay 106, Crystal Falls Forest Park 111 and Rock Mid Peninsula 132.

“Placing in the top five is everything we could ask for,” Mid Pen coach Carl Brunngraeber said. “We were ranked ninth or 10th coming in. We added a few eighth-graders today and they helped us.”

Chassell senior Kalvin Kytta won at 16:10.2, followed by Engadine senior Dakota Taylor (17:22.2) and E-TC freshman Brody Majurin (17:28).

Mid Pen eighth-grader Ashdeyn Gerow paced area runners in 14th (18:51.1). Superior Central junior Cody Moore was 16th (18:52.7) with Escanaba Holy Name junior Manny Vande Hey 17th (18:54.5).