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Running men

Jets boys win UP Finals in cross country

The Jeffers Jets boys pose after winning their fourth straight U.P. title in the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in cross country held at Pictured Rocks Golf Club in Munising on Saturday. (Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press (Escanaba))

MUNISING — The Jeffers Jets continued their winning ways in the Upper Peninsula Cross Country Finals, earning their fourth straight Division 2 title with 33 points.

They were followed by Rudyard 81, Ironwood 84 and Munising 90.

“Our kids ran their tails off,” Ironwood coach Ben Schmandt said. “The Jeffers kids did their job and Munising and Rudyard are two tough teams. I told the kids to leave it all on the course and they gave 100 percent. We’re going to miss our two seniors, but we couldn’t ask for a better ending. We have potential.”

Munising senior Dan Goff earned his first U.P. title by covering the 3.1-mile course in 16:43. He was followed by Jeffers junior Cameron Anderson at 16:55.2, Rudyard junior Steven Kirschner (17:23.4), Ironwood senior Zach Smith (17:26.1) and Jeffers junior Landon Larson (17:30.9).

“The race was pretty good, but my legs weren’t feeling up to snuff,” Larson said. “It felt awesome to win as a team. We were going for a four-peat. I just ran fast and hard. Training during the summer helps. We came into the season in good shape. We have no seniors this year. We have a lot to look forward to.”

Chassell’s Kalvin Kytta, left, and Cedarville’s Ethan Snyder lead during the Division 3 boys race at the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in cross country held at Pictured Rocks Golf Club in Munising on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)

Jeffers freshman Branson Anderson placed sixth (18:07.3). Sophomore Tage Rajala took ninth (18:32.2) and freshman Blake Heltunen was 11th (18:39.3).

Senior Hunter LaCourt was Hancock’s leader in 20th (19:32.5)

Marquette ran away from the competition for its sixth consecutive championship with 20 points. The Sentinels were followed by Sault Ste. Marie 55 and Houghton 89.

Sault junior Gabe Litzner made it a three-peat while setting the all-time U.P. record at 15:14.4, followed by Marquette seniors Seppi Camilli (15:34.7) and James Barch (15:57.8) for the second and fifth best times in U.P. Finals history, respectively.

Litzner also holds the fourth-best time (16:56.6), which was the previous record from a year ago at Flat Rock.

Colton Yesney of Negaunee owns the third-best time (16:49), also set in Flat Rock in 2016.

“I came into this race very nervous,” Litzner said. “I knew Seppi was going to give me a good race. I felt the way to beat him was to stick with him in the first mile. I didn’t want to wait until the last mile or 800 meters. He’s very fast. I knew he would kick it in during the last mile. Adrenalin got me through the whole race, especially today. I knew it was going to be hard. It’s exciting to be part of U.P. history. It feels really great. I love running with these guys.”

Houghton senior Birk Seagren, two-time WestPAC Conference champ, placed 10th this time in 16:56. Junior teammate Benjamin Hemmer took 11th (17:05.2) and freshman Brandon Van Karsen was 13th (17:29.7).

Calumet sophomore Andrew Junttila narrowly missed the podium, taking 16th at 17:40.9.

In D-3, Chassell senior Kalvin Kytta retained his title in 16:10.2, followed by Engadine senior Dakota Taylor (17:22.2) and Ewen-Trout Creek freshman Brody Majurin (17:28).

“That was close to a PR (personal record),” Kytta said. “I’m pleased with how the race went. I knew it would be a battle with myself for time and set goals for my split times. When the gun went off for the Division 1 race, I got more excited for my race.”

Engadine was crowned U.P. champion for the first time in its school history with 62 points, followed by Stephenson 82 and defending champ Dollar Bay 106.

Dollar Bay senior Joshua Guant placed ninth (18:37.1) and sophomore Landon Halkola was 13th (18:50).

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