Newberry/Engadine cross country at Superior Central and Manistique

By John Vrancic
For the Newberry News

The Engadine boys put forth a solid effort and placed third in the Superior Central Invitational cross country meet in Eben Junction last Saturday.

Munising was crowned champion with 44 points, followed by Crystal Falls Forest Park 60, Engadine 82, Rapid River 91, Stephenson 99 and Superior Central 106. Five other schools had runners but didn’t field complete teams.

The Munising girls also won with 44 points. They were followed by E-TC 68, Superior Central 71, Rapid River 72 and Engadine 81. Forest Park, Esky, Mid Pen. Stephenson, North Central, Gwinn and Manistique had no team scores.

Mid Pen sophomore Ashdeyn Gerow won the boys’ 3.1-mile race in 18 minutes, 28.9 seconds. He was followed by Engadine junior Nate Stielstra at 18:56.1 and Forest Park junior Hayden Smith (18:59.1) on that sunny and mild morning.

“The sun was hot, but the shade was nice,” Stielstra said. “I enjoyed this one. We just had a two-day break. I’m still getting back into racing. I wish I could have trained a little more this summer, but I had to miss some time. I’m happy with my time. I dropped 30 seconds from last year.”

Engadine junior Eddie Franckowiak placed fifth (19:05.2). Freshman teammate Oliver French took 29th (22:33.2) followed by junior Birch Bitely 35th (24:00.2) and freshman Eli Franckowiak 42nd (27:19.7).

“I felt better today (than in Wednesday’s Manistique Invitational),” Eddie Frankowiak said. “I tried to start a little slower. I’ve been trying to work on getting six-minute splits. I’m still in the low 19s. I need to change a few things.”

Superior Central freshman Edye Burdette matched the course record at 21:02.6, which she shares with E-TC senior Bree Besonen.

Besonen was runner-up this time at 21:08.1 and Munising freshman Emma Conklin placed third (21:14.7).

Sophomore Sarah Chapman was Engadine’s leader in fifth (22:48.8).

“I wanted to break 22,” she said. “Today was a great day for a run. Placing in the top five, I’m pretty happy with that.”

Eagles’ freshman Maggie Mersnick took 22nd (26:35.5), followed by sophomore Fern Stielstra 24th in a personal-best 26:41.6 and classmate Bryleigh McLellan 26th (27:01.7) and senior Cali Robinson 39th (30:22.3).

At Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie senior Asia Jones was the individual winner for the first time at 20:19.2, followed by Newberry senior Abby Taylor (20:28.8) and sophomore Molly McNamara (20:43.1) on a sunny, hot, and breezy late afternoon.

“I’m glad I ran better today (than at Marquette Aug. 28),” McNamara said. “I just had to stick with Abby. I think Asia is getting better and better.”

Engadine’s Fern Stielstra was 37th (27:28.6) and Robinson took 49th (31:07).

Senior Emily Mills was Newberry’s third finisher in 51st at 32:47 and classmate Allison Wallace was 55th (38:46.3).

The Sault girls were crowned champions with 45 points. Munising placed second with 63 followed by Rudyard 74, Rapid River and Superior Central 100 and Esky 120.

Newberry’s boys cross country team has had some recent growth.

“We had two runners, now we’re up to four,” Newberry boys’ coach Matt McNamara said. “Our two frontrunners have been running all summer. The future is bright for Newberry.”

Sault boys won with 58 points, followed by Rudyard 68, Munising 84, Gladstone 92, St. Ignace 134, Esky 173, Stephenson 178, Rapid River 179 and Superior Central 183.

Rudyard senior Eli Folkersma also became a first-time winner at 17:59.2, followed by Sault senior Chase Aldridge (18:18.7) and Gerow (18:29.3).

Eddie Frankowiak paced the Engadine boys in eighth (19:05.9) and Eli Frankowiak was 60th (28:11.3).

The Eagles travel to Indian River for Monday’s Inland Lakes Invitational. The Indians go to Mackinaw Club Invite at Mackinaw City on Sept. 24.