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SAULT STE. MARIE — The Munising High School boys have been chasing Stephenson throughout this cross country season.


Munising gave it one last push for 2007 in Saturday’s Upper Peninsula Division 2 Finals. Stephenson, however, prevailed for the first time in four years with 45 points. The Mustangs edged Ironwood 61-65 for the runner-up trophy.


“Our kids ran very good,” Munising coach Fran DesArmo said.


“This is as close as we’ve been to Stephenson. They’ve pounded us all year. They (Stephenson) deserve it all today.”


Ironwood sophomore Alan Peterson recorded the day’s fastest time, covering the rain-drenched 3.1-mile course in 16 minutes, 46.7 seconds.


He was followed by Stephenson senior Craig Tessmer (16:57), Ironwood senior teammate John Jacisin (17:12.3) and Munising junior Alex Zaleski (17:21.6).


Westwood junior Pat Bradley placed seventh (17:57.1).


This marked the first U.P. championship for Peterson, who was edged Sault Ste. Marie’s Jake Bennette for the Division 1 title last year in Houghton.


“Last year’s experience really helped me,” Peterson said. “It was definitely a motivator. I’m pretty surprised with my time with the course being so muddy from all the rain. It was crazy.”


Bennette, a junior, retained his D-I title in 17:03.6, followed by Houghton’s Evan Griffith (17:05.8) and Nathan Manderfield (17:22.5).


“He (Griffith) is a real good runner,” Bennette. said. “I think knowing the course more than him made the difference.


“It felt great winning on our home course. I went out a little faster today than usual.


“Otherwise, I just ran my race,” he said.


Houghton, placing four in the top eight, won with 45 points. The Gremlins were followed by Marquette (73) and the Sault (76).


“Our boys are real young, but they peaked at the right time,” Marquette coach Mike Leanes said.


“I’m extremely pleased with the boys. We’re pretty balanced, which has been our strength all year.”


This marked the first U.P. title for the Gremlins since 1989, when they took top honors in Class D.


Senior Tom McFadden, who placed fifth (17:38.7), was Marquette’s top finisher.


The sun finally came out for the Division III race, but not nearly in time to dry the course.


Rapid River senior Tyler Crossman copped his third straight title in 17:17.4, followed by Painesdale’s Jonathan Kilpela (17:37.9) and DeTour’s Teryn Miller (18:07.3).


“I felt good early and the hills weren’t really a problem,” Crossman said.


“But running through the mud is tough. It was like running in quicksand.”


Superior Central’s Tim Wolfe was the top area finisher, placing seventh (18:48.6).


The Rapid River boys captured their second title in three years with 71 points.


 Defending champion Painesdale-Jeffers had 87 and Superior Central was third at 91.

 

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