MARQUETTE — It was a birthday to remember for Ella Fure as she regained her Great Northern Conference cross country title on her home course here Thursday.

The Marquette High School senior, who just turned 17, covered the 3.1-mile course at Presque Isle Park in 18:53.9 on this sunny, windy and seasonably cool afternoon.

Her latest effort was the fastest time recorded by a Marquette female runner at Presque Isle, but slightly more than five seconds away from the course record (18:48.8) by Emily Paupore of Negaunee in the 2019 Marquette County meet.

Lindsey Rudden had the previous best time by a Marquette runner at Presque Isle (19:09.5) a decade ago.

This marked the second GNC championship for Fure, who placed third a year ago after winning as a sophomore in 2023.

“My goal was to go out a little harder,” she said. “I was 10 seconds faster than usual at the mile and was able to get into a rhythm. At that point I was on pace to break 19. The weather was nearly perfect and I felt good at all times.”

Marquette’s girls maintained their stranglehold on the GNC title, winning for the 26th consecutive year with 18 points. Kingsford was runner-up at 44.

The Marquette’s boys won for the 13th time in a row with 19 points, followed by Gladstone 56 and Kingsford 79.

Marquette freshman Emma Ziegler was runner-up in the girls’ race at 20:41.3, followed by Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich (21:02.8) and Menominee senior WInley Brandt (21:41.9).

“I really wanted to beat the girl who got third,” Ziegler said. “I pushed myself on the hills and passed her on the last one. This is definitely a big change from middle school. The course is longer. Our team did a great job. They’re working hard.”

Gladstone senior Lexi Gilbert was the area’s pacesetter in 11th (23:23.9), followed by Escanaba freshman Evey Bevins (23:43.2) and Gladstone senior Peyton Takkunen (24:26).

“This wasn’t my best race, but I like the course,” Gilbert said. “It was windy, but we had nice temperatures. This is definitely a confidence builder for (Upper Peninsula Division 1) Finals. Two of our boys place which I think is pretty cool.”

Marquette senior Peter Argeropoulos won the boys’ race at 16:31.6, followed by Kingsford junior Cavan Mulligan (18:03.9) and Marquette sophomore Luke Skytta (18:11.1).

Gladstone junior Cristian Hayen took eighth in a personal-best 19:01.5, followed by Esky sophomore Kingston Berube (19:16.3) and Gladstone senior Grady Nelson (19:22.6).

“This feels good,” Berube said. “This is a big moment in my career, something I can build on. I think this is a momentum builder for the U.P. Finals. I would like to place in the top 10 at the Finals.”

Gladstone freshman Jack Prins was 11th (19:28.3) with junior teammate Chuck Cameron 13th in a personal-best 19:57.5.

“We got two medals and two kids ran PRs,” Braves’ coach Gary Whitmer said. “Cristian ran a real good race and Grady had a very good finish and was able to get a top 10 finish because of a fast finish. We had five kids in the top 15 and Tyler (Soderman) was 16th which is pretty good.”

Esky and Gladstone travel to Munising Oct. 18 for the U.P. Finals.

Boys

Marquette 19, Gladstone 56, Kingsford 79, Escanaba 95, Menominee NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Peter Argeropoulos, Marquette, 16:31.6; 2, Cavan Mulligan, Kingsford, 18:03.9; 3, Luke Skytta, Marquette, 18:11.1; 4, Garrett Crimmins, Marquette, 18:38.2; 5, Welly Fillmore, Marquette, 18:50.9; 6, D.J. Menhennick, Marquette, 19:00.6; 7, William Lindsay, Marquette, 19:00.7; 8, Cristian Hayen, Gladstone, 19:01.5; 9, Kingston Berube, Escanaba, 19:16.3; 10, Grady Nelson, Gladstone, 19:22.6.

Girls

Marquette 18, Kingsford 44, Escanaba, Gladstone and Menominee NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Ella Fure, Marquette, 18:53.9; 2, Emma Ziegler, Marquette, 20:41.3; 3, Maria Murvich, Kingsford, 21:02.8; 4, Winley Brandt, Menominee, 21:41.9; 5, Esme Ulland-Joy, Marquette, 22:15.8; 6, Ava Cantway, Marquette, 22:38.4; 7, Amira Perrier, Marquette, 22:40.7; 8, Olivia Koren, Marquette, 22:43.6; 9, Olivia Wescott, Kingsford, 23:05.8; 10, Evelyn Grant, Marquette, 23:20.2.