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End of Redettes’ era

Negaunee girls snap Marquette’s seven-year U.P. Division 1 dominance

KINGSFORD — The Negaunee girls track and field team ended a dynasty by going the distance.

By distance of course, that meant the long-distance running events that pushed the Miners over the top as they won their first Upper Peninsula Division 1 title since 2010, snapping Marquette’s seven-year win streak on Saturday afternoon.

“It was nerve-racking, but the U.P. Finals always is, whether you’re ahead or behind,” Negaunee head coach Vickie Paupore said after her team outscored Marquette, 115-89 1/2. “It’s very exciting, though.

“I thought we definitely had a chance (this year). At the beginning of the season, I always kind of think about how we’ll do at the U.P. Finals. This season, I knew we had a really good opportunity because we’re much stronger than we’ve been in the past.

“We have 11 seniors and seven of them qualified today. When you’re a senior, you have that extra desire to do well and they’re great kids with fantastic attitudes.

“I’m just so happy for them because they’re such an amazing group of young women. This is just a great accomplishment. Proud is an understatement of how I feel about my team. I’m more than proud right now.”

Paupore’s daughter, Emily, was the biggest winner as she took home championships in three individual events (800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs) and was part of Negaunee’s winning 3,200 relay squad. She also set a U.P. record in the 3,200 in 11 minutes, 25.52 seconds, topping Marquette’s Lindsey Rudden former record set in 2013.

“I trained a lot over the winter and I definitely got more confident,” Emily Paupore said. “I’m running better than ever before.”

When asked what it is about long-distance running that’s so appealing, Paupore said it’s basically just testing your limits.

“Distance is so satisfying,” she said. “Just seeing how far you can go. And I prefer longer races, especially in cross country. That’s just my passion. I love it and I just have fun with it. There’s nothing I like better on a Sunday morning than going for a seven-mile run.”

Chloe Norman also won a title for the Miners as she took first in the 300 hurdles. She and Paupore were on the 3,200 relay.

“When I got past the corner, I was really hoping that I had it,” Norman said. “When I got going down the straight stretch, I thought I really got this. Then on the last hurdle, I made sure I went over the last one the highest.”

Coach Paupore had a lot of praise for Norman.

“Chloe had a great day,” Paupore said. “She had a really strong performance in the hurdles. It was very close to a school record and she was second in the high jump and third in the long jump.

“She was a little disappointed with her jumping, but I told her to go take it out on the track and get all your anger out. She certainly did that and she set a personal record.”

The runner-up Redettes won the 800 relay and MSHS’ Rachael Hunt took first in the long jump.

Kingsford was third with 84 points thanks to a strong day from Olivia Allen. The junior won three events (100, 200 and 400 dashes) and was on the Flivvers’ winning 1,600 relay team. Rylee Palmer also won a title for Kingsford in the discus.

Westwood tied for seventh place overall, but did have an individual champion as Tessa Leece won the high jump by clearing 4 feet, 9 inches.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal. net.

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