Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Lukas Axford, right, takes out a hurdle in the lane next to him being run in by Connor Kemppainen of L’Anse during the Division 3 boys 300-meter hurdles at the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in track and field held Saturday in Kingsford. Despite the mishap, Axford won the event and Kemppainen was second. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

KINGSFORD — Nearly two decades ago, the Newberry boys became MHSAA Upper Peninsula Division 2 Finals track and field champions in back-to-back years.

They accomplished the same feat at Kingsford on Saturday, retaining their Division 3 title with 84 points, Runner-up Lake Linden-Hubbell scored 73, with Bessemer a surprising third with 46.

With 31 teams in the field and 23 scoring points, these teams pulled off quite an accomplishment. Brimley finished fourth with 42 points, while Rapid River had 38, Forest Park 34, Chassell 30, Cedarville 28, Watersmeet 24 and Engadine 19.

In 11th place were L’Anse and Escanaba Holy Name, each with 18 points, while Superior Central was 13th with 16 points and Baraga 14th with 13.

Then came St. Ignace with 11, Stephenson 8, Ojibwe Charter 7, Ontonagon and Dollar Bay 5 apiece, Paradise, Mid Peninsula and North Central 2 each, and Wakefield-Marenisco and Hannahville both having 1.

The crowded Division 3 field — Divisions 1 and 2 only have 11 teams each — harkens back to the days in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s when teams were divided into their letter classes — classes A, B, C and D. Back then, and even now, at least half and probably closer to two-thirds of U.P. schools were in Class D and competed among themselves. Classes A and B were generally combined into one division, and Class C was usually its own separate entity.

Out of that crowded field came the Newberry boys for the second straight year.

“We kind of did what we had all season,” Newberry coach Drew Schultz said. “We were kind of top heavy. We were lacking depth a little, but I knew if the guys did what they did all season, I liked our chances.

“This is the first time we won back-to-back years since I was in high school (2005-06). This is fun, bringing four championship trophies back to the eastern U.P.

“Pickford’s kids did a nice job (sweeping titles) in D-2.”

The Panthers won both boys and girls titles in Division 2 on the same day at the same site.

Newberry started the D-3 meet on a positive note, winning the 3,200-meter relay in a season-best 8 minutes, 42.67 seconds.

Senior Connor Carlson, who anchored that relay, also placed fourth in the 200 dash in 24.31 seconds and in the 400 (54.07).

“It feels good to win,” he said moments after finishing the relay. “I love winning. Garrett (Lewicki) ran a great first leg. Everyone was rolling. This sets the tone pretty good.”

Lewicki also anchored the 1,600 relay that placed second (3:42.47), and took third in the 800 run (2:09.83).

Newberry senior Matt Rahilly won the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 4.5 inches and took the high jump by clearing 6-feet even, placed second in the 100 (11.51) and third in the 200 (24.24).

Classmate Ethan Pavey added a victory in the shot put (43-6.5).

Senior Dakota Taylor, who will run cross country at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey this fall, provided Engadine with a solid showing. He took second in the 3,200 in a personal-best 10:20.96 and third in the 1,600 (4:51.61), and helped the Eagles place fourth in the 3,200 relay (9:08.59).

Brimley swept the sprint relays, taking the 400 (46.78) and 800 (1:36.75), while senior Adrian Kunowski was triumphant in the pole vault (11-1).

“I’d say our handoffs went well,” Brimley sophomore Gus Vonseggem said. “We didn’t qualify last year. Cooper (Jones) and Trey (Lynn) joining the team made a difference.

“We really wanted to break the school record. We still need to make our handoffs a little better. It takes a lot of offseason work. Overall, we’re happy with the team’s performance.”

Chassell senior and Michigan Tech recruit Kalvin Kytta was a triple winner, taking the 800 in 2:03.71, 1,600 in a personal-best 4:28.58 and 3,200 (10:11.42).

“I’m very happy with my season,” he said. “I was going for the record in the 3,200, but just couldn’t quite get that. The (personal record) in the mile was kind of a reflection win.

“Glory to God for sure. He gives me the strength to do all this. I’m getting to know the guys a little at Tech. I’m thankful to God for providing me with this opportunity.”

Lake Linden-Hubbell sophomore Lukas Axford captured the 300 hurdles in 42.46 seconds and anchored the winning 1,600 relay (3:41.89).

Watersmeet senior Thomas Caron was a double winner, taking the 200 (23.91) and 400 (52.36) and adding a fourth in the 100 (11.75).

Bessemer senior Bryce Martin won the 100 (11.44), while sophomore Jayden Verrett was runner-up in the 200 (23.92), third in the 100 (11.52) and anchored two second-place sprint relays.

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.