MANISTIQUE — A pair of recent high school graduates tuned up for college cross country by earning top honors in the Emerald Chase five and 10-kilometer races here Saturday.

Manistique’s Ben Gilroy covered the 5-K (3.1-mile) course in 18:27.3, followed by Jackson and Tim Helms of Santa Rosa, Calif. at 18:42.9 and 18:54.2, respectively, on this cloudy and humid morning.

“I’m not actually running cross country the first year (at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids), but I’m still going to work on my mid-distance,” Gilroy said. “They want me to focus on academics. It will be a change, but I’m excited. Today, I just wanted to have a good run and have fun.”

Engadine grad Dakota Taylor, who will run at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey this fall, cruised to victory in the 10-K (6.2 miles) in 38:34.4. He was followed by Roman Richards of Fremont, Mich. (52:17.1) and Marshall Dotlich, Morton Grove, Ill. (57:13.9).

“I’m enjoying the summer before going off to college,” Taylor said. “Obviously, the coaches are giving me a workout schedule. The intensity is starting to pick up. It’s always nice to be in these races. This gives you a chance to compete and see different runners.”

Rocquel Richards of downstate Fremont was crowned women’s champion in the 10-K at 58:17. She was followed by Kerra Quinn (58:29.6) and Bonnie Walters (59:11.6), both of Manistique.

“I’m happy with my race,” Rocquel Richards said. “It was a good course and we had good weather. I just wanted to have fun. This is a good way to get some exercise.”

Jessica Helms of Santa Rosa took the women’s 5-K in 23:12.6, followed by Addison Schroeder (24:31) and Kaylen Clark (24:31.1), both of Newberry.

“My grandparents have a cottage on Indian Lake and we come here every year,” Helms said. “I like the idea of the race supporting the local cross country team. I think the weather was nice, only I’m not used to the humidity. It’s dry in California. There was good competition out there. There were a lot of high school runners.”

The races drew approximately 90 runners.

5-K

Male

7-9 — Bryce Urban, Manistique, 33:17.2; 10-12 — Wesley Winkel, Manistique, 26:24.3; 13-15 — Jackson Helms, Santa Rosa, Calif., 18:42.9; 16-18 — Ben Gilroy, Manistique, 18:27.3; 

19-23 — Jude Way, Manistique, 29:40.9; 35-39 — J.W. Christensen, Grand Rapids, Mich., 25:40.7; 40-44 — Tim Helms, Santa Rosa, Calif., 18:54.2; 45-49 — Matt Miotke, Manistique, 31:53.3; 55-59 — Ernie Krumm, Plymouth, Mich., 39:25.9; 60-64 — Richard Aldrich, Manistique, 30:26.9; 70-74 — William Phillips, Manistique, 57:15.5; 75 & over — Lee Ekhlad, Gulliver, 59:30.5.

Female

7-9 — Sophie Walters, Manistique, 51:50.7; 10-12 — Annabelle Lafoille, Manistique, 24:40.7; 13-15 — Leah Joslin, Manistique, 28:23.2; 16-18 — Kyra Carlson, Manistique, 23:51; 19-23 — Kaylen Clark, Newberry, 24:31.1; 24-29 — Jennifer Carlson, Manistique, 32:07.5; 30-34 — Danielle Goudreau, Manistique, 25:19.8; 35-39 — Kailyn Ebli, Grand Rapids, Mich., 27:08.2; 25:40.7; 40-44 — Jessica Helms, Santa Rosa, Calif., 23:12.6; 45-49 — Natalie Dotlich, Morton Grove, Ill., 39:43.5; 50-54 — Beth Gyorke, Plymouth, Mich., 46:28.7; 55-59 — Lori Langendorf, Sault Ste. Marie, 33:45.5; 60-64 — Beth Aldrich, Manistique, 33:19.2; 65-69 — Kristen Socha, Wyoming, Mich., 34:29.6; 70-74 — Trish Forstner-Cayia, Manistique, 36:33.2; 75 & over — Susanne St. John, Manistique, 53:26.7.

10-K

Male

Top five — 1, Dakota Taylor, Naubinway, 38:34.4; 2, Roman Richards, Fremont, Mich., 52:17.1; 3, Marshall Dotlich, Morton Grove, Ill., 57:13.9; 4, Levi LaTulip, Cooks, 59:11.8; 5, Louis Kusnier, Gulliver, 1:06:47.9.

50-54 — David Brown, Chicago, 1:13:20.1

Female

Top five — 1, Rocquel Richards, Fremont, Mich., 58:17; 2, Kerra Quinn, Manistique, 58:29.6; 3, Bonnie Walters, Manistique, 59:11.6; 4, Shannon Handel, Rapid River, 1:00:58.5; 5, Allison Sherman, Neenah, Wis., 1:11:30.

10-12 — Alia Segerstrom, Manistique, 1:12:38.2; 13-15 — Mira Dotlich, Morton Grove, Ill., 1:19:37.