Trending
MANISTIQUE -- Several area cross country runners gave chase, but it was the leaders from the Eastern Upper Peninsula who occupied the top spots in the Manistique Emerald Invitational here Wednesday.
Sault Ste. Marie swept both titles with the girls scoring 45 points, followed by Munising 63, Rudyard 74 and Rapid River and Superior Central 100.
The Blue Devils topped the boys' standings with 58 points. They were followed by Rudyard 68, Munising 84 and Gladstone 92.
Second-year Sault senior Asia Jones paced the girls, covering the 3.1-mile course in 20 minutes, 19.2 seconds for her first varsity championship on this sunny, hot and breezy afternoon.
She was followed by Newberry senior Abby Taylor at 20:28.8 and sophomore Molly McNamara (20:43.1) and Superior Central freshman Edye Burnette (21:08.1).
"I didn't go out too fast and ran relaxed," Jones said. "I just ran a patient race. In the last meet, I went out too fast and paid for it. This year is so much better. Last summer I didn't run as much as I should. This year I trained through the summer and it paid off. Abby and Molly are good competition."
Rudyard senior Eli Folkersma was also a first-time varsity winner, taking the boys' race at 17:59.2. He was followed by Sault senior Chase Aldridge (18:18.7) and Rock Mid Peninsula sophomore Ashdeyn Gerow (18:29.3).
"It feels like it's overdue," Folkersma said. "I paced off the front guy (Aldridge) and passed him right after the first mile. He ran a great race, but everytime he challenged me, I picked up the pace. I'm pretty excited about this one. This is really good for me. This season started better than I anticipated."
Escanaba junior Kingston Berube placed ninth (19:09.1), just ahead of Gladstone senior Chuck Cameron (19:11).
Among the girls, Munising freshman Emma Conklin placed fifth (21:30.1) and junior Addie Bowerman was sixth in a personal-best 21:53.8.
"Our coaches told me to push toward the middle of the race," Conklin said. "It was a hot one, but there was a nice breeze."
Rapid River sophomore Evonna LaCosse took eighth (22:22.4) with Esky sophomore Avah Akerly taking ninth (22:26.6).
"I went good," LaCosse said. "I was pleased with the way I ran. I was hoping to get under 21, but felt strong toward the end. It was a little too hot. I prefer the cooler weather."
Superior Central is hosting its invitational Saturday at 10 a.m.
Boys
Sault Ste. Marie 58, Rudyard 68, Munising 84, Gladstone 92, St. Ignace 134, Escanaba 173, Stephenson 178, Rapid River 179, Superior Central 183. Rock Mid Peninsula, Engadine, Manistique and Escanaba Holy Name NTS.
Top 10 -- 1, Eli Folkersma, Rudyard, 17:59.2; 2, Chase Aldridge, Sault Ste. Marie, 18:18.7; 3, Ashdeyn Gerow, Rock Mid Peninsula, 18:29.3; 4, Wyatt Huhn, St. Ignace, 18:44.4; 5, Drew Burtt, Sault Ste. Marie, 18:54.1; 6, Blake Lakosky, Munising, 18:54.5; 7, Jack LaLone, Rudyard, 19:03.6; 8, Eddie Frankowiak, Engadine, 19:05.9; 9, Kingston Berube, Escanaba, 19:09.1; 10, Chuck Cameron, Gladstone, 19:11.
Girls
Sault Ste. Marie 45, Munising 63, Rudyard 74, Rapid River and Superior Central 100, Escanaba 120.
Top 10 -- 1, Asia Jones, Sault Ste. Marie, 20:19.2; 2, Abby Taylor, Newberry, 20:28.8; 3, Molly McNamara, Newberry, 20:43.1; 4, Edye Burdette, Superior Central, 21:08.1; 5, Emma Conklin, Munising, 21:30.1; 6, Addie Bowerman, Munising, 21:53.8; 7, Melissa Kirschner, Rudyard, 22:01.2; 8, Evonna LaCosse, Rapid River, 22:22.4; 9, Avah Akerly, Escanaba, 22:26.6; 10, Regan Sporte, Sault Ste. Marie, 22:36.9.