Trending
FLAT ROCK -- The Gladstone boys were in the hunt, but came up a little short in their quest for the Mid-Peninsula Conference cross country championship here Tuesday.
Negaunee edged the Braves 36-38 for the title and third-place Ishpeming Westwood scored 47 points.
The Miners had the only full girls' team and were awarded a perfect score of 15 points.
"Our girls' team has been strong all year," Negaunee coach Kelsie Luokkala said. "Two of our girls were playing volleyball. I think this is a momentum builder for the (Upper Peninsula Division 1) Finals. This was a good confidence builder for the boys as well. They definitely pushed it today."
Westwood sophomore Calvin Carlson won the boys' 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 35.5 seconds on this sunny and mild afternoon. Ishpeming senior Kemper Gearhart was runner-up at 18:30.9.
"This was my second best time this year," Carlson said. "I was just trying to get ready for the U.P. Finals. I wanted to go hard and get kind of a gap. This feels really good. We had a perfect temperature and not much wind. I think it was definitely a confidence boost before the Finals. I enjoy running on this course. We have a lot of hills in our area. It feels completely different when you come here."
Gladstone senior Chuck Cameron placed third at 18:51.2. He was followed by Negaunee sophomore Tyler Rautiola (18:58.6) and Gladstone sophomores Charlie Blair (19:12.9) and Nicholas Moulds (19:33).
"I started a lot like I did on the other courses," Cameron said. "One of our top runners was gone today, but our No. 6 guy had a PR (personal record) by a full minute. As a team I think we did all right. I was treating this like my last race. I wanted to be on the podium for my last home race."
Junior Kavin Jackson was Manistique's pacesetter in ninth (19:49.1).
Coach Gary Whitmer was pleased with how the Braves performed.
"Our fourth guy wasn't here due to other obligations," he said. "Nolan (Bosk), our fifth guy, PRd by about a minute and passed Negaunee's number six guy. Our kids were a little tired from all the races, but they ran well. This absolutely gives us momentum going into the Finals. Although, I wanted them to back off a little because of the Finals."
Negaunee senior Keira Waterman became girls' champion in a season-best 20:46.5. She was followed by Ishpeming sophomore Sophie Mahoski (22:13.1) and Negaunee junior Eliza Sicotte (23:01.7).
"I really like this course," Waterman said. "I didn't have anybody close. I tried to back off in the first mile so I could stay consistent in the second and third miles. I also play volleyball, so everything has been pretty conservative."
Freshman Charlotte Carter-Jager was Gladstone's leader in 10th (27:53) and was followed by Manistique freshman Elsie Abrahamson (28:28.6).
The U.P. Finals take place Saturday in Houghton.
Boys
Negaunee 36, Gladstone 38, Ishpeming Westwood 47, Ishpeming, Manistique and Gwinn NTS.
Top 10 -- 1, Calvin Carlson, Ishpeming Westwood, 17:35.5; 2, Kemper Gearhart, Ishpeming, 18:30.9; 3, Chuck Cameron, Gladstone, 18:51.2; 4, Tyler Rautiola, Negaunee, 18:58.6; 5, Charlie Blair, Gladstone, 19:12.9; 6, Nicholas Moulds, Gladstone, 19:33; 7, Anders Johnson, Negaunee, 19:40.9; 8, Noah Wachter, Ishpeming Westwood, 19:42.2; 9, Kavin Jackson, Manistique, 19:49.1; 10, Joshua Frederick, Negaunee, 19:51.2.
Girls
Negaunee 15, Ishpeming, Ishpeming Westwood, Gladstone, Manistique and Gwinn NTS.
Top 10 -- 1, Keira Waterman, Negaunee, 20:46.5; 2, Sophie Mahoski, Ishpeming, 22:13.1; 3, Eliza Sicotte, Negaunee, 23:01.7; 4, Adela Miller, Negaunee, 24:22.5; 5, Gabby Green, Negaunee, 25:19.8; 6, Madison Longtine, Ishpeming, 25:47.3; 7, Maija Roberts, Negaunee, 25:57.2; 8, Chloe LaCosse, Negaunee, 26:12.8; 9, Oni Heinzel, Ishpeming Westwood, 26:52; 10, Charlotte Carter-Jager, Gladstone, 27:53.