SPALDING — Rock Mid Peninsula freshman Ashyden Gerow broke into the win column for the first time in his varsity cross country career, earning top honors in the Powers North Central Invitational here Monday.

Gerow covered the 3.1-mile course in 18:45.08. He was followed by Florence-Niagara at 19:11.37, Mid Pen freshman Eli Stiglitz (19:16.11) and North Central junior Kaden Malone (19:22.44) on this sunny and mild afternoon.

“This feels amazing, but it was painful in the end,” he said. “I got a sideache in the last 300 meters and had to dig down and kick in it. I think this gives me a little momentum going into the U.P. Finals (Saturday at Munising).

Florence-Niagara, Wis. was crowned champion with 22 points. Superior Central and Norway followed at 46 points each with the Cougars getting second place on a tie-breaker.

“The guys did an awesome job,” F-N coach Terry Hanson said. “We feel very confident going into our (Northern Lakes) conference meet. We had a couple wins and a couple second-place finishes during the year, but it’s going to be close in the NLC meet. We’ve been right behind Three Lakes and Laona-Wabeno all year.”

Kingsford junior Cavan Mulligan decided to use this meet as a training run and placed eighth at 19:58.4.

“We had Cavan today in more of a coaching leadership role,” Flivvers’ coach Sarah Noasconi said. “It was kind of a win-win situation because Cavan is such a great leader. We to save Cavan of the U.P. Finals. Maria (Murvich) wasn’t feeling well, but she still came here to support the kids. We had four girls and three boys in the top 15. It was a great performance overall.

“It was good to see some kids have a chance to do something they ordinarily wouldn’t get to do. It was awesome to see the young gentleman (Gerow) smiling as he came around the last turn, knowing he was going to win.”

The Kingsford girls won with 22 points and Superior Central was runner-up with 34.

Big Bay de Noc freshman Evonna LaCosse was first to cross the finish line (23:10.14), but temporarily lost her footing and her elbow inadvertently hit Florence-Niagara’s Ina Holt as they were about to finish.

“They (race officials) were going to disqualify Evonna, and I told them that doesn’t fit her character,” Big Bay coach Angie LaLonde said. “Evonna would never do something like that on purpose. I just told them to flip-flop the top two places.”

Holt became the winner at 23:10.37 and Kingsford Olivia Wescott placed third (23:53.81) and Norway senior Lauren Adams was fourth (24:41.9).

“I found a different gear in the end,” LaCosse said. “It’s a little disappointing I didn’t win it, but I’m happy with my race.”

North Central’s Maddy Knauf placed fifth in 24:36.4.

“We didn’t have a full team, but this was a good tune-up for the Finals,” Jets’ coach Katie Depudyt said. “Maddy had been in the 23s before, but still did pretty well. She ran her PR (personal) record at Munising (Sept. 23) and we’re hoping she can do it again Saturday. This was the last home meet for our seniors and it was a little emotional for them.”

Crystal Falls Forest Park was led by senior Bella Tarter, who took sixth at 24:40.74.

“This was probably not one of my better races, but I think this helps me out for the Finals,” she said. “I ran on the Munising course before and got a PR. I’m hoping to do it again Saturday.”

Boys

Florence-Niagara, Wis. 22, Kingsford 45, Superior Central 55. Rock Mid Peninsula, Powers North Central, Crystal Falls Forest Park, Carney-Nadeau and Norway NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Ashdeyn Gerow, Rock Mid Peninsula, 18:45.08; 2, Evan Parker, Florence-Niagara, 19:11.37; 3, Eli Stiglitz, Rock Mid Peninsula, 19:16.11; 4, Kaden Malone, Powers North Central, 19:22.44; 5, Zane Phillips, Florence-Niagara, 19:27.84; 6, William Hoffman, Crystal Falls Forest Park, 19:31.62; 7, Clayton, Schroeder, Florence-Niagara, 19:46.11; 8, Cavan Mulligan, Kingsford, 19:58.4; 9, Christian Anderson, Florence-Niagara, 19:59.05; 10, Orrin Smith, Kingsford, 20:12.21.

Girls

Kingsford 22, Superior Central 34. Florence-Niagara, Wis., Crystal Falls Forest Park, Powers North Central, Rock Mid Peninsula, Big Bay de Noc and Norway NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Ina Holt, Florence-Niagara, 23:10.37; 2, Evonna LaCosse, Big Bay de Noc, 23:10.14; 3, Olivia Wescott, Kingsford, 23:53.81; 4, Lauren Adams, Norway, 24:21.9; 5, Maddy Knauf, Powers North Central, 24:36.4; 6, Bella Tarter, Crystal Falls Forest Park, 24:40.74; 7, Kendra Pederson, Superior Central, 24:48.02; 8, Erika Tourangeau, Rock Mid Peninsula, 25:01.96; 9, Kaiya Davis, Powers North Central, 25:12.18; 10, Callie Flagstadt, Powers North Central, 25:16.14.