They were followed by Marquette with 109 and Gladstone with 78.

There was another dropoff to fourth place, where Sault Ste. Marie had 47 points, followed by Houghton with 36, Escanaba 23, Kingsford 22, Westwood and Manistique tying for eighth with 18 apiece, Calumet 15.5 and Menominee 5.5 in this 11-team meet.

“I am incredibly proud of my team’s effort today,” said Negaunee coach Vickie Paupore, who emailed her comments as she was watching her daughter — and former Negaunee star — Emily Paupore at the NCAA Division I track and field regionals in Jacksonville, Florida.

Assistant coach Krista Squiers attended the U.P. Finals in her place, relaying information to Paupore.

“They have been undefeated throughout the season, and I know they were a little nervous going into the final meet, but they took the confidence that they have had all year and finished strong,” Paupore said.

Miners’ sophomore Keira Waterman set school records while winning the 400-meter dash in 58.55 seconds and 800 in 2:21.86. She anchored the winning 400 relay, which was clocked in a school-record 51.21 seconds.

Waterman added a second place in long jump at 15-11.25 and was runner-up to Marquette sophomore Taylen Todd, who jumped a personal-best 16-3.5.

“My regional time in the 800 wasn’t the best,” Waterman said. “I came in here seeded sixth, but it ended up being a pretty good day. Taylen had a real good jump.”

Miners classmate Sadie Rogers also had a hand in three firsts, retaining her 100 hurdles title (15.78 seconds), while also winning the 300 (47.94) and anchoring the victorious 400 relay on this sunny and mild day at Flivver Field.

“I like it,” she said. “Feels good to win the 100 hurdles again. I was nervous before the race, but just had to have a positive mindset and do my best.

“This gets me in a good spot, although I have to stay humble. You never know what can happen. We had perfect weather with no wind when we were running.”

Senior Macyn DellAngelo added a first in the 100 in 12.88 seconds, followed by Gladstone senior Lauren Sundquist in 13.00 and Negaunee freshman Elvera Coyne in 13.05.

“I enjoy starting out of the blocks,” DellAngelo said. “It’s always nice to know I got a good start and push through it.

“This is probably the best team we’ve had in awhile. We’re filled with good athletes.”

DellAngelo, who will continue her education at Northern Michigan University this fall, also led off the 400 relay.

“Keira had a phenomenal day and ran with so much heart,” Paupore said. “She improved upon her own 400 record time and broke Emily Paupore’s record in the 800 from 2018.

“Sadie Rogers also had some phenomenal performances in the hurdle races. She has run the hurdles so well all year.

“Our seniors really showed up…. Madison Pekrul had (personal records) in both hurdles and was on a winning leg of the mile (1,600) relay. Macyn was the U.P. champion in the 100 and was a leg of our school-record-setting 400 relay. She has had some tremendous improvements this season.”

Negaunee junior Baylie Bourdeau won discus with a personal-best toss of 98 feet, 2 inches, while sophomore Priya Morey took second (93-10).

“Our discus throwers really came in clutch,” Paupore said. “They were sitting in fourth and fifth after the preliminary rounds and ended up throwing themselves into first and second place on their last throws.”

Marquette showed its strength in the distances.

Junior Ella Fure won the 3,200 (11:44.58), and senior Maija Maki-Warne added a first in the 1,600 (5:20.98) and was runner-up in the 800 (2:22.56).

Fure placed second in the 1,600 (5:21.12) and third in the 800 (2:27.45).

“I’m really happy with my day,” Fure said. “I’m really proud of my teammates and (of) Alisha (Mabie of Escanaba). Our friendship is going to last a lifetime.

“It’s kind of bittersweet because all my best friends are graduating. I ran my race for special people (Jenn, Addie, Stella and the late Jordan DeMay).”

Mabie, also an NMU recruit, was runner-up in the 3,200 in a personal-best 11:51.46 and third in the 1,600 (5:28.3).

Marquette senior Chloe Miller, bound for Wisconsin-Parkside this fall, placed fourth in the 400 (1:02.41) and 800 (2:31.58) and helped the winning 3,200 relay (10:21.35).

“I’m happy with the times I ran,” the former Alton, Illinois, the resident said. “I moved up here in May 2024. I think we have the best athletes we could ask for. The people are so supportive. I never had that before. The thing I’ll remember the most is the way they took me in as one of their own.”

John Vrancic is a regular sports contributor at the Daily Press in Escanaba and was reporting this story for the Michigan High School Athletic Association website, mhsaa.com.