The Northern Michigan University women’s cross country team is all smiles after competing as individuals at the Husky Invitational held at Michigan Tech in Houghton on Friday. (Photo courtesy NMU)

HOUGHTON — The Northern Michigan University Cross Country Club joined the Wildcats’ varsity team at the Husky Invitational hosted by Michigan Tech and held in Houghton on Friday.

While team scores weren’t kept, the top finisher from Marquette was NMU club member Fiona Metzo in 24 minutes, 56.6 seconds on the six-kilometer (3.7-mile) course, good for second place.

With Michigan Tech’s Grace Folkema winning in 24:47.9 and teammate Samantha Shaver third in 25:10.4, the NMU varsity team slotted into fourth through seventh places.

Wildcats senior Paige Anderson was fourth in 25:15.2, sophomore Anya VanSweden fifth in 25:38.7, junior Lana Mac sixth in 25:39.1 and sophomore Abby Harma seventh in 25:43.8.

Harma is a Marquette Senior High School graduate.

Northern freshman Monet Argeropoulos, also an MSHS grad, was 10th in 26:20.9, while sophomore Brooke Lemos finished 12th in 27:13.9.

A number of NMU club runners also cracked the top 20 — Amelia Bone was 13th in 27:29.0, Naomi Wittig 14th in 27:29.2, Taryn Andersen 16th in 27:48.0, Nora Madion 17th in 27:54.3 and Norah Campbell 19th in 28:56.3.

The women’s meet included runners from MTU, both NMU teams, Lake Superior State and several runners listed as unattached.

Also from the Wildcats’ varsity team was junior Kate Langworthy, 21st in 29:12.7; senior Elliott Smith, 22nd in 29:21.6; and sophomore Taryn Maki, 27th in 30:09.1.

Michigan Tech junior Austin Smelker won the men’s 8K (five-mile) race in 26:35.5, not quite 20 seconds ahead of runner-up Luke Moore of Crown Running.

With Northern only having a women’s team as a varsity sport, the NMU Cross Country Club entered seven runners in the men’s meet.

Jackson Fowler paced the Wildcats club in 16th in 29:04.3, with Victor Hart 20th in 29:48.3, Lucas Weintraub 29th in 32:43.0 and Matthew Collins 31st in 34:51.9.

The Northern women’s team heads to the GLIAC Championships at 11 a.m. Saturday in Grand Rapids. The NCAA Division II Midwest Regional meet is Nov. 8 and national finals No. 22, both in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the meet. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.