ISHPEMING — The Houghton girls put themselves in a favorable position here Thursday, winning the Tracy Strom Invitational cross county meet with 29 points.

Houghton which grabbed the top three places and placed four within the top six, was followed by Calumet 45 and Negaunee 85.

“We were missing our fourth girl (Jovie Williams) today,” Houghton coach Traci Welch said. “I’m really pleased with the way they came together.”

The Jeffers boys, who placed four in the top eight, were crowned champions with 32 points, followed by Houghton 44 and Negaunee 67 in the second WestPAC Conference meet this season.

“We had a heck of a day,” Jeffers coach Sam Kilpela said. “The guys came in here and did an awesome job. This gives us four titles in a row. It’s always a battle with Houghton. We’re good competition for each other and Negaunee is absolutely good competition.”

Houghton sophomore Sela Niska earned her first victory by covering the hilly 3.1-mile course in 22:08.3. She was followed by classmate Holly Cooke (22:32.1) and junior Norah Woodruff (22:57.7) on this sunny and warm afternoon at the Al Quaal Recreation Area.

“There’s a lot of up and down on this course which makes it challenging, especially with this heat,” Niska said. “The Stephenson Invitational was especially hot which definitely prepared us for today’s meet. We miss Tessa a lot, but other girls have stepped up. This feels good right now. We’re just trying to get through the season and get to the (Upper Peninsula Division 1) Finals.”

Jeffers senior Cameron Anderson copped the boys’ race in 17:00.8. He was followed by Negaunee senior Henry Plummer (17:43), Jeffers senior Landon Larson (17:52.4), Negaunee senior SImon Jaklin (18:17.6) and Houghton senior Ben Hemmer (18:38).

“There are definitely ups and downs out there and the last hill is very tough,” Anderson said. “It’s hot. I tried to find a good pace and hope I could hold everybody off. It’s hard to keep a pace and the legs get heavy after the last hill. You also have a long finish. You just have to run as hard as you can.”

Negaunee senior Nori Korsman placed fourth among the girls at 23:12.9, followed by Calumet sophomore Elli Harju (23:35.3) and Houghton senior Romi Mattson (24:00.5).

“Sela had a great race,” Welch said. “Norah and Romi ran phenomenal races. Holly is running great, too. They just seem to step up which shows their mental toughness. Our fifth and sixth girls were right where we needed them. It feels like this is the best bonded team we’ve had in quite a few years. The kids are very supportive of each other.”

Sophomore Remi Coponen led Jeffers in eighth (24:08) and junior Lauren Larson was Hancock’s pacesetter in 12th (25:01.5).

“Our girls ran well and strong,” Kilpela said. “We’re excited for the next couple weeks.”

Senior Axl Schneiderhan was Calumet’s leader in 24th (21:07.7).

The third WestPAC meet, which takes place Tuesday at the Negaunee Township Hall, will be run in conjunction with the Mid-Peninsula Conference meet.

Boys

Painesdale Jeffers 32, Houghton 44, Negaunee 67, Ishpeming Westwood 97, Hancock 150. Calumet, Ishpeming, West Iron County, Gwinn NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Cameron Anderson, Painesdale Jeffers, 17:00.8; 2, Henry Plummer, Negaunee, 17:43; 3, Landon Larson, 17:52.4; 4, Simon Jaklin, Negaunee, 18:17.6; 5, Benjamin Hemmer, Houghton, 18:38; 6, Brandon Van Karsen, Houghton, 18:47.7; 7, Branson Anderson, Painesdale Jeffers, 18:54.8; 8, Blake Heltunen, Painesdale Jeffers, 19:04.4; 9, Kemper Gearhart, Ishpeming, 19:23.9; 10, Jared Waterman, Ishpeming Westwood, 19:32.8.

Girls

Houghton 29, Calumet 45, Negaunee 85, Hancock 98, Ishpeming Westwood 150. West Iron County, Ishpeming, Painesdale Jeffers, Republic-Michigamme, Gwinn NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Sela Niska, Houghton, 22:08.3; 2, Holly Cooke, Houghton, 22:32.1; 3, Norah Woodruff, Houghton, 22:57.7; 4, Nori Korsman, Negaunee, 23:12.9; 5, Elli Harju, Calumet, 23:35.3; 6, Romi Mattson, Houghton, 24:00.5; 7, Maija Keranen, Calumet, 24:02.9; 8, Remi Coponen, Painesdale Jeffers, 24:08; 9, Sophie Mahoski, Ishpeming, 24:14; 10, Addy Hallum, Ishpeming Westwood, 24:35.5.