FLAT ROCK — Solid performances led the Bay College Norse to third-place finishes in their own cross country invitational here Saturday.

St. Clair County Community College grabbed six of the top 13 spots and took the men’s title with 36 points. Northern Michigan University’s club team edged the Norse 81-87 for the runner-up spot.

The St. Clair County women also won with 34 points, followed by NMU’s club team 58 and Bay College 61.

“I’m happy with the teams,” Bay coach Scott Carhoun said. “I think they’re where they need to be this time of year. We had good weather and wanted to put on a good show. It seemed like there was a lot of praise for this course. Running through the horse barn (at 2¾ miles) seemed to be a big hit among the runners.”

St. Clair freshman Kate Bennett became the women’s individual winner, covering the 3.1-mile course in 20:22.6 on this sunny and warm day.

“My goal was to get 6:30 miles or better,” she said. “I think this is a confidence builder. I like the course and running in the woods the best. The competition is strong. Running in college is a pretty big adjustment. The weather was nice. I expected it to be a little cooler.”

Bay freshman Lily Ross was runner-up in a personal-best 20:35.6 followed by fellow freshman Alyssa Shirkey (20:40.7).

“I’m real happy with that,” Ross said. “I miss running with Tessa Rautiola (at Houghton). I think I was closer with my high school teammates, although I need to get used to college. Some of my high school teammates are on different teams which takes a little getting used to. It was really cool to run on this course because I ran here for the U.P. Finals. Running through the barn was a different experience.

“Running at Green Bay (Aug. 30) was also a different experience. I try not to think about the difference between college and high school cross country. I pretty much just go out and run.”

Shirkey, a Wakefield-Marenisco graduate, improved her time by 54 seconds from the opener.

“That felt good,” she said. “This is a pretty big step from high school. The practices are different and there’s a lot more competition. Although, I like college and I like competition. This challenges you a lot more. I felt it was a little too hot, but it was fun.”

Mid Michigan Community College sophomore Drew Moore copped the men’s eight-kilometer race at 27:25. He was followed by Kirtland sophomore Utah Gusa (27:41.4) and Alpena sophomore Ryan Allen (28:17.9).

Gladstone grad Tanner Howes was Bay’s pacesetter in ninth (29:56.5).

“I passed quite a few runners in the last two miles,” the sophomore harrier said. “The barn was fun to go through. It was definitely something different. Running on our home course was great. It was good to be able to sleep in a little. I live just 10 miles away. This is a lot different from traveling downstate, but you adjust to it. My goal was to get under 30. I’m definitely happy with my time.”

Engadine graduate Dakota Taylor, a freshman at North Central Michigan college, narrowly missed the podium in 16th (30:26.4).

“It was nice to be back on an old Finals course,” he said. “It’s interesting running an 8-K. The training and pacing and getting used to this competition level are different. In the first meet (at Port Huron), I went out way too fast. You got to try not to get too caught up in the rush of it.”

In the girls’ race, Gladstone grad Kayla Farnes finished 33rd (25:51.7) just ahead of Escanaba grad Natalie Spreitzer (25:59.1).

“This felt awesome running on our home course and have everyone supporting us,” Farnes said. “Not having to travel helps. It’s really exciting being a part of this team. We really have a great group. I think running against the four-year schools in Green Bay helped us. There were more people down there and were able to see the many strategies.”

The Norse travel to Petoskey for the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s North Conference meet Sept. 26.

Men’s 8-K

St. Claire Community College 36, Northern Michigan University club team 81, Bay College 87, Kirtland Community College 93, North Central Michigan College 107, Alpena Community College 109. Grace Christian and Mid Michigan College NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Drew Moore, Mid Michigan, 27:25; 2, Utah Gusa, Kirtland C.C., 27:41.4; 3, Ryan Allen, Alpena C.C., 28:17.9; 4, Trent Glass, St. Clair Count C.C., 28:40.5; 5, Jackson Fowler, NMU club, 29:18.6; 6, Victor Hart, NMU club, 29:38.3; 7, Caleb Anderson, Grace Christian, 29:45.3; 8, Wyatt Murtos, St. Clair County C.C., 29:56.1; 9, Tanner Howes, Bay College, 29:56.5; 10, Dylan Schumann, St. Clair County C.C., 29:56.6.

Women’s 5-K

St. Clair County Community College 34, Northern Michigan University club team 58, Bay College 61, Kirtland Community College 82. Alpena Community College, Grace Christian, North Central Michigan College and Mid Michigan College NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Kate Bennett, St. Clair C.C., 20:22.6; 2, Lily Ross, Bay College, 20:35.6; 3, Alyssa Shirkey, Bay College, 20:40.7; 4, Joey Janise, Kirtland C.C., 20:41.4; 5, Brynn Hurley, St. Clair C.C., 20:47.9; 6, Olivia Gust, Kirtland C.C., 21:11.7; 7, Rowan Conley, St. Clair C.C., 21:30.7; 8, Julia Rogers, St. Clair C.C., 21:43.7; 9, Kendra Couterier, North Central Michigan, 21:47.9; 10, Emma Dickins, Alpena C.C., 21:49.8.