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ENGADINE -- The Rapid River cross country teams made their season debut a successful one by winning both ends of the Engadine Rock & Roll Relays here Thursday.
Rapid River's boys scored five points, followed by Engadine six and Manistique 11.
The Rapid River girls retained their title by edging the host Eagles 5-6.
"This is the second year we got the plaque," Rockets' sophomore Victoria Coppock said. "This is a nice boost for our team. Engadine has a couple real good runners. This is one of the meets I really look forward to. I think it's more competitive. It's also easier to look at placement and know where you are."
Engadine sophomore Sarah Chapman and teammate Fern Stielstra won the girls' six-mile race in 44:39.31, followed by Rapid River's Kaylee Taylor and Julie Poma (47:53.93) with Coppock and Ashlyn Thompson placing third (49:02.42).
"All my miles were under seven minutes," Chapman said. "I'm very happy with my times and how I finished each time. It's hard to stop and go, but it's fun. It's a great way to open the season, I think. I think last year's experience is helping me. It was nice out there. It wasn't too hot and we had a nice breeze. I think it went well."
Each runner did a trio of one-mile intervals in this meet.
"I really like it," said Rapid River senior Jae Poma, who teamed with Owen Truitt for a runner-up finish in the boys' race. "It's something different. This helps our speed and is kind of a tune-up for other races. It's nice to get the break, but you have to keep moving to keep your legs warm for your next interval."
Poma also has some personal and team goals in mind.
"I would like to get under 18 minutes," he said. "I feel we have a shot at the U.P. (Division 3) title. There's lot of good teams out there, but if we work hard I think we have a chance."
Engadine's Nate Stielstra and Ed Frankowiak took first in the boys' event at 35:17.18. Poma and Truitt were clocked at 35:40.63 and Rapid River's Jeb Green and Jon Denkins placed third in 38:38.56.
Manistique sophomore Keira Hart, who represented the Manistique girls, ran on a boys' team with Trent Mason and James King.
"It wasn't terrible," she said. "It could have been a lot worse. I really wasn't that nervous, but standing at the starting line alone was the hardest part mentally. It just felt weird because I wasn't running with the other girls. It was a good first meet. It was also kind of a learning experience."
The Emeralds travel to Petoskey for Tuesday's Revenge of the Twilight Taco two-mile Invitational and Engadine goes to Wednesday's Party in the Park Invite at East Jordan.
Rapid River resumes in the Dale Phillips Invitational at Marquette Aug. 28.