BANAT — Hydration and patience were probably the key words for high school cross country runners in the Stephenson Invitational here Wednesday.

The Houghton boys retained their title with 26 points on this sunny and hot afternoon. Florence-Niagara, Wis. was runner-up at 74 and third-place Kingsford scored 105.

Houghton’s girls were also repeat winners with 31 points, followed by Kingsford 55 and Marinette 71.

The Houghton girls ran without senior Tessa Rautiola, who was out due to a possible stress fracture.

“We’re happy we won, but we’re a little thin right now,” Gremlins’ coach Traci Welch said. “The girls really stepped up and pulled together as a team. Norah Woodruff had a big race and Sela Niska had an injury, but has really stepped up as well. We’re super happy with the boys, too.”

Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich won the girls’ race, covering the 3.1-mile course in 22:10.2, followed by Niska (22:26.4) and Woodruff (22:54.7).

“It was not real good today,” Murvich said. “It was a tough day to run. It’s not an easy course either. I knew it was going to be difficult. I just tried to be patient. After having all the cooler weather, this definitely caught me off guard. I was so happy to see the finish line. It’s too bad Tessa couldn’t be here. I was ready to run with her.”

Menominee junior Winley Brandt placed fourth (23:06) and Escanaba freshman Avah Akerly took fifth (23:47.9).

“It looks like Houghton has a real solid team,” Akerly said. “It was awful out there. My goal was was just to do my best. I drank a lot of water last night. I just had to be patient today. I’m happy with finishing fifth. This was absolutely an opportunity to get better.”

Big Bay de Noc freshman Evonna LaCosse took eighth at 24:35.3.

“The heat slowed my time a little, but I’m happy with where I finished,” she said. “The competition was pretty strong. I think this prepared me for Rapid River (Invite on Saturday).”

Freshman Maddy Knauf was Powers North Central’s leader in 11th (25:46.4) and Esky freshman Evey Bevins was 12th (25:49.2).

“I tried to drink as much water as I could,” Knauf said. “I used my arms on the hills. It helped me keep my momentum a little. I’m happy with how the race went for being this hot. The forecast looks better for Saturday. I like running. It’s good motivation, especially when you’re running against people.”

In the boys’ race, Houghton senior Ben Hemmer earned his first individual victory in 18:22.7. He was followed by Kingsford junior Cavan Mulligan (18:29.7) and Gremlins’ teammate Brandon Van Karsen (19:05.5).

“I tried to start with the front pack,” Hemmer said. “I had to work a lot on the hills. I also tried to follow a conservative approach because of the heat. It was brutal. This was absolutely a big adjustment after the cooler weather we’ve had. This is a big confidence builder.”

Stephenson senior Canon Kuntze took fourth (19:38.1) and Rock Mid Peninsula freshman Ashdeyn Gerow placed fifth (19:40.5).

Sophomore Kingston Berube was Esky’s pacesetter in eighth (20:16).

Boys

Houghton 26, Florence-Niagara, Wis. 74, Kingsford 105, Stephenson 137, Superior Central 144, Marinette 154, Escanaba Holy Name 182, Escanaba 183, Goodman-Pembine, Wis. 199, Munising 205. Carney-Nadeau, Crystal Falls Forest Park, Menominee, Norway and Rock Mid Peninsula NTS

Top 10 — 1, Ben Hemmer, Houghton, 18:22.7; 2, Cavan Mulligan, Kingsford, 18:29.7; 3, Brandon Van Karsen, Houghton, 19:05.5; 4, Canon Kuntze, Stephenson, 19:38.1; 5, Ashdeyn Gerow, Rock Mid Peninsula, 19:40.5; 6, Anderson Limkemann, Houghton, 20:03.7; 7, Xavier Hutchinson, Houghton, 20:10.1; 8, Kingston Berube, Escanaba, 20:16; 9, Jaxon Courts, Florence-Niagara, 20:28; 10, Zane Phillips, Florence-Niagara, 20:29.8.

Girls

Houghton 31, Kingsford 55, Marinette 71, Stephenson 75, Superior Central 113. Big Bay de Noc, Escanaba, Florence-Niagara, Wis., Crystal Falls Forest Park, Escanaba Holy Name, Menominee, Munising, Norway, Goodman-Pembine, Wis., Powers North Central and Rock Mid Peninsula NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Maria Murvich, Kingsford, 22:10.2; 2, Sela Niska, Houghton, 22:26.4; 3, Norah Woodruff, Houghton, 22:54.7; 4, Winley Brandt, Menominee, 23:06; 5, Avah Akerly, Escanaba, 23:47.9; 6, Faith Cappaert, Stephenson, 24:00.4; 7, Jovie Williams, Houghton, 24:22.2; 8, Evonna LaCosse, Big Bay de Noc, 24:35.3; 9, Romi Mattson, Houghton, 25:14.9; 10, Olivia Wescott, 25:28.9.