STAMBAUGH — The Houghton boys believe they’re starting to peak as they enter the home stretch of this track and field season.

That was evident here Tuesday as they captured the WestPAC Conference title with 172 points. They were followed by Negaunee 152 and Ishpeming Westwood 72.

“We performed well in the regional and backed it up here at the WestPAC, which is awesome,” Houghton coach Erik Johnson said. “Our regional was tight, too. We had some really good performances. We had a sophomore (Michael Solena) take second in shot put and third in discus and our 4×100 relay was solid.”

The Negaunee girls won with 210½ points, followed by Houghton 131½ and West Iron County 53.

“Houghton has a great team,” Negaunee coach Vickie Paupore said. “They’re very strong in the middle and longer distances. They gave us a good challenge in those events.”

Houghton senior Luke Hill won the boys’ 800-meter run in 2:02.42 and 1600 (4:48.72) and anchored the winning 1600 and 3200 relays.

“I’ve had great coaching,” he said. “They critique my form and tell me where I need to improve. In my freshman year I ran with Eric Weise. I had a lot of good competition. I ran in the open 3200 at the Calumet Invitational and ran at PR (9:53) and missed the school record by five seconds. I’m peaking at the end of the season. I had a lot of support here today. My grandparents and dad are here and they’ve been calling my mom and brother, who are at home today, and letting them know how I’m doing.”

Freshman Brandon Van Karsen took the 3200 (10:43.74) and senior Birk Seagren placed second in the 1600 (4:55.57) and 3200 (10:45.02) and helped the 3200 relay.

Junior Brayden Goudge also provided the Gremlins with a first in the 100 (12.15).

Calumet senior Matt Frantti took shot put with a personal-best throw of 49-2¾ and discus at 140-10.

“Showing up and coming ready to compete makes a difference,” he said. “I felt quick and aggressive today. It helps when you have people cheering for you. We all cheer for each other. The camaraderie is second to none. I’ve gotten better in every meet. I really have an edge at the home meets. I need to be more aggressive in general to increase my distances.”

Frantti uncorked a personal-best toss of 149-3 in the Copper Country Invite at Calumet (May 12) and hopes to top that Tuesday when the Copper Kings host the Dan Junttila Memorial Invitational.

Negaunee senior Brady Mager was a triple-winner, taking the 110 hurdles (16.96), 300s (43.65) and high jump (5-8).

Houghton junior Tessa Rautiola led off the winning 3200 relay and copped the 1600 (5:38.8) and 3200 (12:15.93) and placed fourth in the 800 (2:36.05).

“The 800 isn’t really my race,” she said. “I do that for speedwork. In the 3200, I knew I’d have nobody pushing me. I had to push myself. I just focus on keeping a good pace. I was glad to have competition at Escanaba (May 2). That helped me in some ways. Overall, I’ve had a good season and our team has been good.”

Houghton junior Jovie Williams was runner-up in the 3200 in a season-best 13:25.65 and freshman Holly Cooke took second in the 1600 (5:48.29) with Hancock senior Ella Keranen third (5:51.16).

Gremlins’ senior Lily Ross took the 400 (1:04.94) and second in the 800 (2:35.04), followed by Keranen at a personal-best 2:35.15.

Negaunee sophomore Sadie Rogers became a triple-winner, taking the 200 (28.05), 100 hurdles (17.2) and 300s (48.85).

Houghton senior Chloe Serafin was runner-up in the 100s (17.68) and Negaunee senior Madison Pekrul placed third (17.88).

West Iron freshman Bristol Shamion placed second in the 300s (50.3) and Serafin was third (50.59), both PRs (personal records).

Negaunee junior Nori Korsman added a first in long jump with a personal-best leap of 16-1¾ and placed third in pole vault (9-0) and sophomore Keira Waterman took the 800 (2:32.61).

Westwood senior Lexi Olson won pole vault (10-0) and Houghton senior Emilyn Fay cleared 9-6 for runner-up honors. Olson also took high (4-10).

“Sadie puts on a clinic everytime she does hurdles,” Paupore said. “She has excellent form. Keira had a real strong performance in the 800 and Nori is jumping really well.”

Also helping Negaunee’s cause was senior Macyn Dellangelo, who won the 100 (13.72) and placed second in the 200 (28.33).

The Miners grabbed the top three places in disc, led by junior Baylie Bourdeau’s toss of 90-8, and sophomore Priya Morey took shot (29-2¼) and was runner-up in disc (89-3)

Junior Alina Nelson placed third in disc (86-10).