Michigan Tech runner John Paul Norland runs during the Bay College Invite on Friday. Norland took sixth as the Huskies won the race. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

FLAT ROCK — The Bay College women held their own against strong competition, placing third in their own invitational cross country meet here Friday.

Northern Michigan University won with 20 points. The Wildcats were followed by Lake Superior State University 53, Bay 76 and Kirtland Community College 91.

Michigan Tech took the men’s title with a perfect score (15 points). The Huskies were followed by LSSU 77, Kirtland 78, NMU Cross Country Club 96 and Bay 109.

“From what I could see, that was encouraging,” Bay coach Scott Carhoun said. “We really wanted to showcase how good our teams are, only we didn’t get the team scores we wanted. Overall, we weren’t at full strength.”

Grace Van Wormer, a freshman from Big Bay de Noc, was Bay’s leader in the women’s race in 19th place at 23:11.2 on this sunny and warm afternoon.

“My strategy included a lot of warming up,” she said. “I tried not to overthink anything. I just let the race come to me. This was a flat course and I really liked that, plus there was no sand. The course also had a great layout.”

Junior Fiona Metzo of the NMU Cross Country Club won the 3.2-mile race in 19:55.5. She was followed by LSSU freshman Noel Black (20:21.8) and Adeline Gobble, who ran unattached (20:38.9).

“I just wanted to go out fast enough and trust in my training and ability,” Metzo said. “I should have picked up the pace more in the second mile. I was drafting off the No. 1 runner (Black) at the time, then she broke off from the top group and I went after her. It’s always tough when you’re running alone. I thought I had a good effort all the way through.”

The Wildcats’ varsity team was led by freshman Grace Folkema in fourth (20:39.1), followed by fellow freshmen Brooke Lemos (20:39.3) and Lola Korpi, an Ishpeming graduate (20:46.6).

“I have overtraining syndrome and been taking it a little easy,” Korpi said. “I’ve been backing off the past two weeks and didn’t know what kind of shape I’d be in. I felt good for two miles, but got a little tired in the end. My lactic acid built up. I’m just glad to be running, although I’ve been struggling with the adjustment.”

Sophomore Endla Harris, a Negaunee grad, placed 12th for NMU (21:34).

“We’re doing all right,” NMU coach Jenny Ryan said. “Our depth helped us out. Lola was sick and overtrained. She also listened and been backing off. She knows how to train. This meet came up at a perfect time for us. We got to see some kids run who ordinarily don’t get to.”

Kayla Farnes, a freshman from Gladstone, was the team’s second finisher in 25th (24:32.1) and Escanaba grad and Norse sophomore Veronica Spreitzer followed in 28th (26:03.7).

Bay’s home meet took place two weeks after the Norse women earned their first victory in the Firebird Invitational at Grayling Oct. 4.

“It was really exciting to be part of the first victory in Bay’s history,” Spreitzer said. “I think that gave us a boost. It’s really neat to be able to run on our home course. It went good.”

Natalie Spreitzer, a freshman from Esky, followed in 29th (26:08.5), Munising grad Hattie Cota took 33rd (29:53.8) and Stephenson grad Devyn Lusardi was 34th (30:12.3) for the Norse.

Houghton grad and MTU graduate assistant Clayton Sayen copped the men’s eight-kilometer race at 24:57.5. Finnian Stringer, running unattached, was runner-up (27:07) and OPTC senior Luke Moore was third (27:13.6).

“I came down here to coach and run,” Sayen said. “It’s so good to be back. After graduating from Michigan Tech, I still wanted to compete. I also wanted to run this course in about 25 minutes. I actually wore my watch today which I usually don’t do. The temperature was good. It was a little windy, but a great day for running.”

MTU, ranked 20th in NCAA Division 2, was led by sophomore Donavan Mattson in fourth (27:16). He was followed by sophomore teammate Luke Pravecek (27:19.4).

“I’m pretty happy with our performance today,” MTU coach Robert Young said. 

“It was a pretty grindy course with a lot of turns. This is true cross country. It’s far more challenging than a golf course. It’s fun to have a group that can compete so well.”

Gladstone grad Tanner Howes, who had a fever Thursday, was Bay’s top finisher in 20th (29:45.1). Fellow freshman Ethan Lawrence of Republic-Michigamme took 27th (30:52.8). Gladstone grad Ben Smith was 40th (35:12.6) followed by Manistique grad and Bay sophomore Dustin Brewster 45th (37:02) and Norse freshman and Stephenson grad Oren Marcoe 46th (37:14.3).

“The meet ran as smooth as we hoped,” Carhoun said. “The No. 1 goal was to make sure people enjoyed it.”

The Norse travel to Port Huron for Friday’s Region 12 championships which start at noon.

Men (eight kilometers)

Michigan Tech 15, Lake Superior State 77, Kirtland C.C. 78, NMU Club 96, Bay College 109. North Central Michigan College and OPTC NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Clayton Sayen, OPTC, 24:57.5; 2, Finnian Stringre, Unattached, 27:07; 3, Luke Moore, OPTC, 27:13.6; 4, Donavan Mattson, MTU, 27:16; 5, Luke Pravecek, MTU, 27:19.4; 6, Nikolas Thomas, MTU, 27:42.1; 7, Liam Walters, OPTC, 27:52.9; 8, Brady Hager, MTU, 28:02.1; 9, Darin Apul, MTU, 28:06.5; 10, Luke Morrison, Unattached, 28:08.6.

Women (five kilometers)

Northern Michigan University 20, Lake Superior State 53, Bay College 76, Kirtland C.C. 91. Michigan Tech, NMU Club and North Central Michigan College NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Fiona Metzo, NMU Club, 19:55.5; 2, Noel Black, LSSU, 20:21.8; 3, Adeline Gobble, Unattached, 20:38.9; 4, Grace Folkema, NMU, 20:39.1; 5, Brooke Lemos, NMU, 20:39.3; 6, Lola Korpi, NMU, 20:46.6; 7, Brielle Kero, MTU, 20:53.8; 8, Ella Debruyn, NMU, 20:56.5; 9, Samantha Zolnierek, NMU, 21:02.8; 10, Samantha Shaver, MTU, 21:08.3.