MarquetteÕs Ahnika Puskala finishes second in the high jump at the Upper Peninsula Division 1 regional track and field meet held at Escanaba High School on Friday. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Mike Mattson)

By JOHN VRANCIC

Escanaba Daily Press

ESCANABA — The Marquette girls are starting to hit their stride just at the right time.

That was apparent Friday at Escanaba High School as the Redettes captured the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Division 1 regional track and field title with 75 points. They were followed by Sault Ste. Marie with 49, Escanaba 29, Menominee 22 and Gladstone 11.

“It seems like we’re starting to click and I think it started last Saturday (May 13) at Negaunee,” Marquette coach Natalie Messano said. “That’s where we seemed to start pulling away from the other teams.”

Marquette senior Hannah Detmers had a hand in four firsts, taking the 300-meter hurdles in 49.73 seconds and leading off the winning 400, 800 and 1,600 relays.

Classmate Jacqueline Cammarata was runner-up in the 300 hurdles in 50.08 seconds and third in the 100 hurdles in 17.44.

“I felt real good coming in here,” said Detmers, who will run track and attend Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne this fall. “It (300 hurdles) is a gut race. You’re not running, you’re jumping. I was fourth in the regionals last year and there was a push for me to keep improving, and Jacquie has been doing well all year. My start went OK, although it wasn’t my favorite start.”

Marquette sophomore Ahnika Puskala took the 100 hurdles in 17 seconds flat, followed by Esky sophomore Courtney Boyle (17.43), who edged Cammarata on a lean.

“Hannah and Jacquie are running well,” Messano said. “Jacquie’s hip has been a little sore. This meet is even more important than the U.P. Finals. You can’t go to the finals if you don’t qualify.”

Puskala helped the Redettes take the 800 relay and was runner-up in high jump (4 feet, 8 inches).

Marquette senior Sierra Carlson won the long jump (16-1).

In discus, Sault senior Callie Church placed fourth in discus (83-4) despite throwing with her opposite hand due to a right shoulder injury.

Menominee did half of its scoring in the distances. Sophomore Abby Bradfield won the 3,200 (12:31.9), with freshman Katie Anderla taking second in the 1,600 (5:41.87) and 3,200 (12:37.6).

The top four finishers in each event qualified for the U.P. Finals to be held in two weeks at Kingsford.