MANISTIQUE — The Manistique girls hope to build on their early-season success as they progress through this track and field season.

Manistique, which has 34 on its team, earned top honors in the Fifth Annual Yooper Indoor Classic at Lake Superior State University March 21.

Coach Erik Mason says a fast start set the tone for the Emeralds in their season-debut.

“All three of our girls scored points in long jump and all three scored in shot put in the end,” he added. “We also scored enough points in the running events to get us through. We scored in every event except the 3200-meter run. It was a nice win for our program.”

The Emeralds, who have six returning seniors on their roster, resume in today’s Gladstone Invitational which begins with the field events at 3:30. Running events start at 4.

They include Gwen Brewster and Laura Fisher in the weight events, Kyra Carlson (pole vault and middle distances), Maya Carlson (long jump and mid distances), Kenya Smith (distances) and Aly Petrelius (high jump).

“Gwen’s eyes are set on returning to the U.P. (Division 1) Finals and scoring points,” Mason said. “Maya tried out long jump last year and did phenomenal. Laura is a good leader and cheerleader for the team and Aly wants to focus on high jump. They can all score points. It’s nice to have this many girls on the team. We can pick and choose where we want to put them. We’re a pretty complete team.”

Junior hopefuls include cousins Aalyah and Shannon Sears in the sprints, Ashlynn Jones (mid distance), Olivia Tiglas (mid distance and 300 hurdles), Allie Renk (hurdles), Addie Irving (weight events and sprints), Jersie Marcella (distances) and Kaylyn McDougle (sprints, mid distances and high jump).

“Allie will be trying other events,” Mason said. ” We have a nice core of juniors who can score points. We’re further along than we were at this time last year. We have a pretty deep squad. We have a tough time putting people in the right spots which is actually a great problem to have. Our practices have been pretty efficient. We make sure we can have maximum performances in practice and benefit from that in the meets.”

Leading the sophomore class are Kendyl Flodin (high jump and sprints) and Lexi Schaffer (long jump and sprints).

Freshman leaders are Harper Andersen (sprints and long jump), Leah Joslin (hurdles and sprint relays) and Audrina Kaiser (hurdles and high jump).

The Emeralds travel to Menominee April 21 before going to Pickford for the Web Morrison Invite April 25.

They will host three meets this season including their Kiwanis Invitational April 28, Emerald Invite May 5 and D-1 regional May 13.

The remaining schedule:

April 21 — Menominee Invitational; April 25 — Web Morrison Invitational at Pickford; April 28 — Manistique Kiwanis Invitational.

May 1 — Rapid River Invitational; May 5 — Emerald Invitational; May 8 — Negaunee Invitational; May 11 — Bark River-Harris Invitational; May 13 — D-1 regional; May 18 — Mid-Peninsula Conference at Gwinn; May 30 — U.P. Finals at Kingsford.