Westwood's Tessa Leece keeps a solid pace as she goes on to win the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in Division 2 girls cross country on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Pictured Rocks Golf Club in Munising. Leece won the race by just over 15 seconds. (Photo courtesy Kay Rambo)

By JOHN VRANCIC

Special to the Journal

MUNISING — After settling for runner-up honors a year ago, the Marquette girls decided they were ready to regain their MHSAA Upper Peninsula Division 1 cross country title on Saturday.

The Redettes scored 47 points on this sunny, breezy and warm day for their fourth championship in five years. They were followed by defending champion Sault Ste. Marie with 61 and Negaunee 94.

“We did what we had to do,” Marquette coach Kyle Detmers said. “Ericka Asmus did a great job leading the team and Allison Jette ran her best race of the year. Our second through fifth runners packed together. I couldn’t be happier.

“Hats off to the Sault. (Coach) Jim (Martin) does a great job with his program. Also, hats off to Mike Leanes for coming out of retirement to help us out. His knowledge of cross country is incredible.”

Negaunee sophomore Emily Paupore was crowned champion for the first time, covering the 3.1-mile course at Pictured Rocks Golf Club in 19 minutes, 22.3 seconds. She was followed by Asmus (19:55.9) and Sault senior Mackenzie Kalchik (20:22).

“I wanted to take off hard, but my first mile was slower than I wanted (5:49.2) and I had a 12:09 after my second mile,” Paupore said. “My pacing wasn’t good today, although it feels great to win it. This shows if you work hard, positive things will come out of it. I’ll just work hard during the winter (for track in the spring) and summer.”

Marquette sophomore Reegan Ketzenberger placed sixth (20:49.1) and classmate Delaney Sall was eighth (21:01.6), with Negaunee senior Clara Johnson 10th (21:05.4).

St. Ignace captured its first D-2 title with 34 points, followed by three-time defending champion Ishpeming with 61 and Westwood 77.

Patriots sophomore Tessa Leece earned her first championship in 20:54.2. For the Saints, senior Elizabeth Becker was runner-up (21:09.7) and freshman Emmalee Hart was third (21:15), who were D-3 champions five years ago.

“I think it went real good,” Leece said. “It was fun. I just wanted to go out hard and keep pushing. I think the wind helped, especially when it was on our back. I think it was the perfect temperature for running. It wasn’t too hot or cold. We did a lot of hard workouts in the sand and on hill, which I think helped our mental toughness.

“Running with the Negaunee girls (Paupore and Johnson) also helped me a lot. There were plenty of girls who were more experienced then me which helped me develop some competitive spirit.”

Ishpeming senior Katie Loman took sixth (22:34.9) and freshman teammate Chyanne Gardner was 10th (23:15.4).

“Our girls got hit with the injury bug this year,” Ishpeming coach P.J. Pruett said. “This has been a tough season for them. Although we’re happy overall.”

In Division 3, Chassell placed four in the top nine and won with 40 points. Mid Peninsula edged Munising 72-74 for the runner-up trophy and defending champion Cedarville was fourth at 84.

Mid Pen freshman Daisy Englund gained top individual honors in 20:31.2, followed by Munising junior Madeleine Peramaki (20:37.4), defending champion and Chassell junior Lela Rautiola (20:42.5) and Munising senior Alyssa Webber (20:51.2), who took the D-2 title a year ago.

“This feels awesome,” said Englund, who became the first Mid Pen girls’ runner to be crowned U.P. champion since her mother (the former Faye Peterson) won it in 1996. “I didn’t know I could do it. My ankle had been sore, but I iced it down last (Friday) night and it felt good today. As a team, I think we did pretty well.’

Peramaki led going into the final turn before Englund passed her on the uphill.

“I started real hard,” she said. “I just went after it. I’m proud of the way I ran. I didn’t give up at all. When she went by me, I had nothing left.

“There’s nothing wrong with being runner-up when you give it everything you have. I’m happy with how much I improved all year. I didn’t expect to have as much success as I did. I’m really thankful for the strength God gave me all year.”

Sophomore Danika Walters was Superior Central’s pacesetter in sixth (21:20.1).