NEWBERRY — The Rapid River Rockets had a chance to test themselves against a group of cross country teams from the Eastern Upper Peninsula here Monday.

Their boys placed third and the girls got fourth in the Tiffany Thorp Invitational on the Canada Lakes Ski Trails on this sunny and very warm afternoon.

The Engadine boys remained undefeated in three meets this season with 43 points, followed by St. Ignace 70 and Rapid River 78.

Newberry’s girls did likewise with 23 points. They were followed by Brimley 54, St. Ignace 66 and the Rockets 78.

“The heat was a big factor,” Rockets’ coach Zach Truitt said. “I don’t think anybody ran their best times. This was a good mental run for us. It was all about how you stacked up with other runners.”

Pickford senior Talya Schreiber ran the day’s fastest time, covering the 3.1-mile course in 19:06.6. She was followed by Newberry senior Samantha Taylor (19:44.3), junior Abby Taylor (21:48.2) and freshman Molly McNamara (22:07.1).

“This is about the same time as I ran here last year,” Schreiber said. “I wanted to go out easy, then I picked up the pace after a half-mile. The shade was nice in the woods, but there was a stretch where we had a lot of sun and sand (near the mile mark). It was hot out there. I rested a few days before this race. I’m trying to get my time down a little. ”

St. Ignace freshman A.J. Feleppa took fifth (24:31.2), one place ahead of Rapid River freshman Julia Poma (24:48.3).

“It was hot,” Poma said. “The heat was probably a factor. I’m a little disappointed in my time, but I know I’ll do better the next time. One of my teammates (junior Sarah Beauchaine) got a PR (personal record). I’m very happy for her. It makes you happy when somebody else did good.”

Cedarville-DeTour junior Ethan Snyder copped the boys’ race (19:26.9), followed by St. Ignace sophomore Wyatt Huhn (19:33.5) and Newberry sophomore Julian Suriano (19:44.3).

Junior Jon Denkins was Rapid River’s pacesetter in fifth (20:00.2). Freshman Owen Truitt placed ninth (20:25.1) and junior Jae Poma was 10th (20:29.9).

“Our middle school boys won,” coach Truitt said. “We didn’t expect that to happen. That was good for them.”

The Rockets host their invitational Saturday at 10 a.m.

“Julia is a good runner,” coach Truitt said. “She was right up with the St. Ignace girl which is where she should be. Looks like it’s suppose to be a little cooler this weekend. The kids will like that.”

Boys

Engadine 43, St. Ignace 70, Rapid River 78, Brimley 99, Pickford 104, Newberry 105, Cedarville-DeTour NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Ethan Snyder, Cedarville-DeTour, 19:25.9; 2, Wyatt Huhn, St. Ignace, 19:33.5; 3, Julian Suriano, Newberry, 19:44.3; 4, Nate Stielstra, Newberry, 19:53; 5, Jon Denkins, Rapid River, 20:00.2; 6, Jacob Mitchell, Pickford, 20:10.2; 7, Darren Johnson, Brimley, 20:12.6; 8, Duane Krenek, Engadine, 20:20.8; 9, Owen Truitt, Rapid River, 20:25.1; 10, Jae Poma, Rapid River, 20:29.9

Girls

Newberry 23, Brimley 54, St. Ignace 66, Rapid River 78. Pickford, Engadine, Cedarville-DeTour NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Tayla Schreiber, Pickford, 19:06.6; 2, Samantha Taylor, Newberry, 19:44.3; 3, Abby Taylor, Newberry, 21:48.2; 4, Molly McNamara, Newberry, 22:07.1; 5, A.J. Feleppa, St. Ignace, 24:31.2; 6, Julia Poma, Rapid River, 24:48.3; 7, Karly Grant, St. Ignace, 25:05.1; 8, Sarah Champman, Engadine, 25:43.4; 9, Genevieve Hanna, Cedarville-DeTour, 26:30.3; 10, Khloe Dumas, Brimley, 26:36.4.