Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Lukas Axford, right, takes out a hurdle in the lane next to him for Connor Kemppainen of L’Anse during the Division 3 boys 300-meter hurdles at the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in track and field held Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Kingsford. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

KINGSFORD — The Upper Peninsula Division 1 Track and Field Finals probably couldn’t have started much better for the Houghton boys here Saturday.

They opened with a victory in the 3200-meter relay in a school-record 8:14.01.

“We went for it,” junior Luke Hill said after running the anchor leg. “It’s fun to run together. We had good preparation and hadn’t lost that race all year. That absolutely helped set the tone. We’ve been chasing that record for two years. It’s crazy how we got it today.”

Marquette, however, made sure their momentum didn’t last

The Sentinels then ran away with the title for the fifth straight time by scoring what is believed to be a state-record 200 points for an MHSAA-sanctioned meet.

Sault Ste. Marie brought home the runner-up trophy with 65 points and third-place Kingsford finished with 53.

Hill still enjoyed some personal success after the day’s first race, placing second in the 800 (1:59.72) and fifth in the 1600 (4:41.24).

Marquette senior Michael Cattoor also achieved success of his own, shattering the all-time U.P. pole vault record by soaring 14-7, seven inches higher than the previous all-time best by Wade Hodge of Menominee in 1992 (while competing in Class A-B) and surpassing the six-year-old D-1 record (13-8) by Dayton Miron of Escanaba.

Cattoor’s latest jump was also an inch better than the previous school record he shared with Bradley for three days.

Bradley jumped 14 feet Saturday. Ishpeming Westwood junior Louis Salmi cleared 13-0 and Gladstone sophomore Andrew Karl was fourth at 12-6.

“I had the guy from Gladstone and Drew here to push me,” Cattoor said. “Drew and I have been pushing each other back and forth. It’s good to have that competition in practice. We’ve been putting in extra time. We stayed about an hour extra each day.”

Calumet senior Matthew Frantti won discus (140-0) and Houghton sophomore Michael Solena took second (133-6).

Sault junior Gabe Litzner set the U.P. 3200 record at 9:31.2, improving upon his previous record (9:35.63) from a year ago.

Pickford captured its third consecutive D-2 title with 127½ points, followed by Munising 77½ and Rudyard 63.

Newberry kept its D-3 crown with 84 points, followed by Lake Linden-Hubbell 73 and Bessemer 46.

Chassell senior and Michigan Tech recruit Kalvin Kytta collected three victories, taking the 800 at 2:03.71, 1600 in a personal-best 4:28.58 and 3200 (10:11.42).

“I’m very happy with my season,” he said. “I was going for the record in the 3200, but just couldn’t quite get that today. The PR (personal record) in the mile was kind of a reflection win. Glory to God for sure. He gives me the strength to do all this. I’m getting to know the guys a little at Tech. I’m thankful to God for providing me with this opportunity.”

LL-H sophomore Lukas Axford captured the 300 hurdles (42.46) and anchored the winning 1600 relay (3:41.89).

L’Anse sophomore Connor Kemppainen was runner-up in the 300s (43.25), followed by LL-H senior Kaden Gariepy third (44.73) and Ontonagon freshman Niko Amos (46.17).

Kempainen copped the 110 hurdles (16.54), followed by Gariepy (17.2) and LL-H junior Brad Davis (17.47).

In the field events, Baraga sophomore Taven Lewis was runner-up in shot put (40-7¾). LL-H senior Nate St. Onge took second in pole vault (10-6) and Lakes’ sophomore Josh Daavettila was third in high jump (5-10).

Baraga’s Taven Lewis prepares to attempt a discus throw during the Division 3 boys discus at the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals in track and field held Saturday in Kingsford. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)