ESCANABA — It was nearly a dream come true for Alisha Mabie here Thursday as she broke 20 minutes for the first time in her cross country running career.

The Escanaba senior covered the 3.1-mile course in 19:47.1 while retaining her title in the Eskymos Invitational on this cloudy and mild afternoon at the Escanaba Country Club.

“I was just so happy,” she said. “During the race I had a feeling that I might get it, although I didn’t know for sure. In the second mile, I was on pace. God is my strength. He helped me get through it. I still have a lot of work to do. I need to keep pushing and trust in God’s plan. I just wanted to get under 20 before the end of my high school career.”

Marquette copped the team title with 25 points, followed by Kingsford 70 and Esky 81.

“The girls did great,” Esky coach Scott Dykema said. “Alisha had a great race. We’re very happy for her. We’re just head over heels right now.”

The Marquette boys, who grabbed eight of the top 10 places, won with 18 points, They were followed by Munising 81 and Menominee 134.

Mabie, who plans to run in college, was followed by Kingsford freshman Maria Murvich in a personal-best 20:44.9 and Marquette senior Maija Maki-Warne (21:08.1).

“I’m very excited,” Murvich said. “I got under 21 for the first time and it feels real good to do that. I knew the Escanaba girl was fast and just tried to keep her in my sight. This is a big confidence builder. I think this gives me some momentum going into the GNC (Great Northern Conference) meet and getting to run it on our course will be helpful.” Sophomore Aesara Lupinski led Rock Mid Peninsula in ninth place (22:23.7) and senior Hope Varoni paced Powers North Central in 12th (22:40.1).

Marquette senior Seppi Camilli took the boys’ race at 15:49.1. He was followed by classmate James Barch (16:12.7) and Munising senior Dan Goss (16:19.8).

“This was really fun,” Camilli said. “I knew it would be hard to PR. I put 25 miles in through the last three days, but still picked up a good time. This was my race for enjoyment. We had six guys go under 16:50 at Shepherd and found out we were ranked 75th nationally, which is pretty exciting. I just wish we could get to run in the state meet.”

Munising senior Trevor Nolan took eighth (16:58.2).

“I’m happy to see Trevor have success,” Goss said. “It’s just awesome. I think our team is coming together. Anytime you get to race against an elite team like Marquette, it makes you better. Both times I raced against their top guys, I was around 16:20. I’ve been battling an injury and this is the first day I felt great. It was a great day for a race on a great course.”

North Central’s Wes Knauf took 12th (18:00.8). Manistique senior Ben Gilroy placed 14th (18:09.4) and senior William Weise was Esky’s pacesetter in 22nd (19:02.5).

“William is dealing with an injury,” Dykema said. “This is still not his best time. If we can get rid of those before the U.P. Finals, he could get under 18.”

Boys

Marquette 18, Munising 81, Menominee 134, Stephenson 141, Escanaba 142, Rapid River 143, Superior Central 164, Manistique 175, Kingsford 178, Rock Mid Peninsula 201. Powers North Central, Carney-Nadeau, Gwinn and Escanaba Holy Name NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Seppi Camilli, Marquette, 15:49.1; 2, James Barch, Marquette, 16:12.7; 3, Dan Goss, Munising, 16:19.8; 4, Rorik Holmquist, Marquette, 16:24.2; 5, Peter Argeropoulos, Marquette, 16:33.5; 6, Chase Thomsen, Marquette, 16:36.8; 7, Evan Balko, Marquette, 16:50.9; 8, Trevor Nolan, Munising, 16:58.2; 9, Lucas Ballard, Marquette, 17:27.4; 10, Mathew Tripp, Marquette, 17:48.9.

Girls

Marquette 25, Kingsford 70, Escanaba 81, Powers North Central and Rapid River 97, Manistique 143. Superior Central, Menominee, Stephenson, Norway, Carney-Nadeau, Gwinn, Escanaba Holy Name, Munising, Rock Mid Peninsula NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Alisha Mabie, Escanaba, 19:47.1; 2, Maria Murvich, Kingsford, 20:44.9; 3, Maija Maki-Warne, Marquette, 21:08.1; 4, Chloe Miller, Marquette, 21:30.5; 5, Evelyn Grant, Marquette, 21:42.2; 6, Faith Cappaert, Stephenson, 21:47.7; 7, Ella Fure, Marquette, 21:50.3; 8, Winley Brandt, Menominee, 22:18.7; 9, Aesara Lupinski, Rock Mid Peninsula, 22:23.7; 10, Eryn Veverka, Marquette, 22:29.7.