HOUGHTON — Area cross country runners were provided with an opportunity to try something new here Thursday.

The Bill Fezzey Memorial Invitational strayed from tradition, offering a match-race format, formerly known as fox and hounds.

Houghton’s girls grabbed the top five places and posted a perfect score of 15 points. They were followed by L’Anse 49 and Calumet 74.

“We decided to make it different this year,” Houghton coach Traci Welch said. “Our kids were really upset about it at first. Although the kids were apprehensive, I think this brought out the best in them. Some of them ran significantly better times. This was the first perfect score ever for our girls. I was a little worried about the boys because we knew (Painesdale) Jeffers was going to be tough, although I’m super happy with both teams.”

The Jeffers boys squeezed past Houghton 27-28 for the title. Third-place Dollar Bay had 88 points.

“Cam Anderson started last and came in first,” Jeffers coach Sam Kilpela said. “We had him timed at 16:31. It’s so easy to start out fast, which in a way is the hardest thing. Once the guys settled in, they knew their job and got it done. This is a big win for us.”

Harriers on each team started 20 seconds apart, starting with the No. 7 runner and working their way toward the top. The first one to cross the finish line, regardless of starting possession, was the winner.

“This wasn’t bad,” Anderson said. “I wouldn’t mind doing this against. It made me push myself and want to catch the other guys. You had to make sure you held your pace.”

Anderson’s official time, including the 20-second staggers, was 18:33.4. He was followed by Houghton sophomore (19:08.3) and Gremlins’ freshman Cole Ceane (19:08.).

The Houghton girls grabbed the top five spots, including senior Tessa Rautiola who won at 22:14.4.

“I’ve never done a race like this before,” she said. “All varsity runners go out at one in other races. It’s just a matter of getting into a good mindset. This is a learning curve for me. I should be happy I’m still running. I was just trying to catch other people during the race which added to the intensity somewhat.”

Houghton sophomore Sela Niska was runner-up (22:23.4) followed by senior Jovie Williams (22:38.8).

L’Anse was led by sophomore Kwynn Voskuhl in sixth (23:06.3).

“I thought the L’Anse girls looked good,” Welch said. “Sela ran in the jayvee race at Marquette (Dale Phillips Invite Aug. 28) because she was coming off an injury.

This was also a new experience for Hancock senior Lydia Pelli, who finished 18th (24:12.9).

“It gives people who are usually first more of a challenge,” she said. “I think I like the regular races better because I’m more familiar with those. You have a better idea of what to expect.”

Ironwood senior Jaelyn Novascone, who previously played volleyball, decided to go out for cross country this year.

“This was a hard choice because I love volleyball,” she said. “I also love basketball and this will get me in better shape. This was my second meet since middle school. This is a great opportunity to compete with kids from other schools. The start was definitely different, but I ran faster than in my first meet. We got drenched (by rain) at Jeffers. I learned to take extra gear with me.”

Most area teams visit Hancock for the WestPAC Conference opener Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Boys

Painesdale Jeffers 27, Houghton 28, Dollar Bay 88, Hancock 109. West Iron County, Calumet Copper Island Academy, Calumet, Gogebic, Ewen-Trout Creek, Watersmeet, L’Anse, Chassell and Ironwood NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Cameron Anderson, Painesdale Jeffers, 18:33.4; 2, Xavier Hutchinson, Houghton, 19:08.3; 3, Cole Ceane, Houghton, 19:08.8; 4, Branson Anderson, Painesdale Jeffers, 19:20.2; 5, Landon Larson, Painesdale Jeffers, 19:24.6; 6, Benjamin Hemmer, Houghton, 19:25.3; 7, Gabriel Hjerstedt, Houghton, 19:35.8; 8, Eduel Spenser, West Iron County, 19:40.6; 9, Brexton Kinnunen, Painesdale Jeffers, 19:47.9; 10, Tage Rajala, Painesdale Jeffers, 19:58.1

Girls

Houghton 15, L’Anse 49, Calumet 74, Ewen-Trout Creek and Hancock 111, Ironwood 164, West Iron County 189. Watersmeet, Gogebic, Chassel and Painesdale Jeffers NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Tessa Rautiola, Houghton, 22:14.1; 2, Sela Niska, Houghton, 22:23.4; 3, Jovie Williams, 22:38.8; 4, Holly Cooke, Houghton, 22:42.4; 5, Romi Mattson, Houghton, 23:00,8; 6, Kwynn Voskul, L’Anse, 23:06.2; 7, Aaliyah Maki, L’Anse, 23:21; 8, Princess Pierre, L’Anse, 23:24.5; 9, Lily Forese, L’Anse, 23:28.5; 10, Bree Besonen, Ewen-Trout Creek, 23:32.2