MENOMINEE — Experience and depth became major factors for the Gladstone boys’ cross country team in a dominating performance at the M&M Border Bash Invitational here Tuesday.

The Braves, who placed seven in the top 11, scored 24 points. They were followed by Stephenson 62, Kingsford 71 and Holy Name 85.

“The guys did a pretty good job,” Braves’ coach Gary Whitmer said. “They stuck together and had a lot of PBs (personal-bests).”

The Kingsford girls were crowned champions with 37 points, followed by defending champion Marinette 44, Gladstone 67 and Coleman, Wis. 72.

“This has been a long time coming,” Kingsford coach Sara Noascone said. “We’re hoping that having these kids earn some medals will offer them a little more motivation and make them more competitive.”

Kingsford junior Cavan Mulligan won the boys’ race by covering the 3.1-mile course in 17:44 on this sunny and warm day at the Riverside Golf Club.

“Cavan is a strong runner,” Noasconi said. “He and Maria (Murvich) trained together all summer. They’re great team leaders. They really help each other and the other kids.”

Gladstone senior Teagan Reynolds was runner-up at a personal-best 18:12 and Stephenson senior Cannon Kuntze placed third in 18:27.

“Golf courses make for nice (running) courses,” Reynolds said. “They’re nice and flat. You can really go for time. We preluded the course and felt this was a good one on which to do a PB. One thing about a golf course is that it’s sunny. There’s not many shady spots. You just have to make the best of it.”

Senior Michael Rexford was Holy Name’s leader in 12th (20:03) and sophomore Kingston Berube was Esky’s pacesetter in 20th (20:43).

Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich gained her first victory this season in a personal-best 20:20.

“I just wanted to go out hard and keep the pace,” she said. “I didn’t feel good at all. In fact, I felt kind of sick. I just tried to dig in. It feels good to win one. It’s also good to know that now I can do it. It was all mental today.”

Menominee junior WInley Brandt was runner-up at 21:11 and Stephenson senior Faith Cappaert was third (21:51).

“I was sick over the weekend,” Brandt said. “I taped my watch again and just tried to do my best. I like to have the cart out in front because I like to pace off that. Faith and I went back and forth. She’s good motivation for me. I like running with her and really like this course. We haven’t run here before. It was a nice change.”

One of its features was a half-mile straightaway coming into the finish.

“The long straightaway was a good motivator,” Brandt said. “Sooner or later you’re going to get to the finish line. You might as well finish strong.”

Escanaba freshman Avah Akerly took fourth (22:07) and Gladstone senior Lexi Gilbert was fifth in a personal-best 22:41.

“I tried to stay up with the front pack and do the best I could,” Akerly said. “It was pretty hot out there, but I’m happy with where I finished.”

Gilbert said she got faster as the race progressed.

“This is a big confidence builder, although this one hurt quite a bit,” she added. “It was very hot out there. The heat affected me quite a bit, but I tried to block it out of my mind.”

Most of these teams will resume in the Bay College Invitational at Flat Rock Saturday at 10 a.m.

“The guys have always been kind of close, but Teagan pulled away after two miles,” Whitmer said. “With Saturday’s meet being run on our home course, I think the guys will be ready to go.

Reynolds had similar thoughts.

“We’re really looking forward to running on our home course,” he said. “We’re also looking forward to going down to Holly (Sept. 13). That will be kind of bittersweet for the seniors because it will be our last overnight trip together.”

Boys

Gladstone 24, Stephenson 62, Kingsford 71, Escanaba Holy Name 85. Carney-Nadeau, Coleman, Wis., Escanaba, Marinette, Menominee NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Cavan Mulligan, Kingsford, 17:44; 2, Teagan Reynolds, Gladstone, 18:12; 3, Cannon Kuntze, Stephenson, 18:27; 4, Max Beauchamp, Gladstone, 18:28; 5, Chuck Cameron, Gladstone, 18:58; 6, Grady Nelson, Gladstone, 19:01; 7, Bryce Vincent, Marinette, 19:32; 8, Jack Prins, Gladstone, 19:36; 9, Asher Thomas, Coleman, 19:40; 10, Tyler Soderman, Gladstone, 19:42.

Girls

Kingsford 37, Marinette 44, Gladstone 67, Coleman, Wis. 72. Escanaba, Escanaba Holy Name, Menominee, Stephenson.

Top 10 — 1, Maria Murvich, Kingsford, 20:20; 2, Winley Brandt, Menominee, 21:11; 3, Faith Cappaert, Stephenson, 21:51; 4, Avah Akerly, Escanaba, 22:07; 5, Lexi Gilbert, Gladstone, 22:41; 6, Evey Bevins, Escanaba, 23:10; 7, Sophia Borths, Marinette, 23:16; 8, Aaiayah Noasconi, Kingsford, 23:30; 9, Peyton Takkunen, Gladstone, 23:49; 10, Olivia Wescott, Kingsford, 23:55.