Negaunee's Keira Waterman, left, and Houghton's Sela Niska run together about halfway through the Negaunee Township Trails course during the girls race at the Negaunee Invitational high school cross country meet on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Waterman won and Niska was runner-up. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

NEGAUNEE — The Jeffers boys continued their winning ways on the cross country trails here Tuesday by earning top honors in the Negaunee Invitational with 42 points.

The Jets, who won their fifth consecutive invitational, were followed by Houghton 58 and Gladstone 79 on this sunny and mild afternoon.

Jeffers senior Cameron Anderson won the challenging 3.1-mile race at 16:34.9 in the third WestPAC Conference meet this season with Negaunee senior Henry Plummer runner-up (17:05.1).

“The Negaunee guy pushed me, which helped me keep my pace,” Anderson said. “The big downhill also helped. That’s where I got separation on him. It also helped to have a little cooler weather. Most of the woods was in the shade. I think this gives me little bit of momentum going into the remaining conference races.”

The Houghton girls won with 23 points. Negaunee edged Calumet for the runner-up spot 56-61.

Plummer, who was crowned Mid-Peninsula Conference champion Tuesday, was followed by Jeffers senior Landon Larson (17:26.1).

“This is a confidence builder going into the remaining meets,” he said. “I was trying to push the pace and take the straightest line. My energy level went down at the end of the second mile. I just didn’t have the stamina today. It feels good to be M-PC champion, but I definitely want to improve my time.”

The Jets placed four in the top 10.

“This was heck of a day,” Jeffers coach Sam Kilpela said. “Cam ran real strong overall and Henry was with him for two miles. That’s what Cameron needs, someone to push him. It was cool to see all these teams today. Gladstone has a real nice team. Our guy (freshman Liam Kinnunen) winning the jayvee race was also one of the highlights.”

Negaunee senior Simon Jaklin placed fourth (17:48.6), followed by Ishpeming junior Kemper Gearhart (17:55.9) and Houghton senior Benjamin Hemmer (17:56.4).

“I tried to run my pace, but something got caught in my throat with about a quarter-mile to go,” Jaklin said. “I had to wait for my airway to clear, then I sprinted to the finish line.”

It was almost like two victories in one for Negaunee junior Keira Waterman, who copped the M-PC girls’ title and this leg of the WestPAC in 20:38.9.

Houghton sophomore Sela Niska was runner-up (20:53.3) followed by classmate Holly Cooke (21:19.2) and junior teammate Norah Woodruff (21:31.1).

“This was a more comfortable day to run than last Thursday (at Ishpeming),” Niska said. “In the last mile, I couldn’t breathe (at Ishpeming). I used a similar strategy to the last race. This year I’m running more for place than time. I’m hoping to get a sub-20 at the U.P. Finals.”

Negaunee was crowned M-PC champion with 16 points.

“We can’t complain at all,” Negaunee coach Vickie Paupore said. “I’m very happy with the girls’ performance. This was the last home meet for our seniors. This is a wonderful accomplishment for them. All seven girls medalled. I’m super proud of them.

“We got a lot of compliments on our course today. Steve and Lisa Bigalk have been helping me set up the course. It’s very well marked and the mile markers are real accurate.”

Negaunee senior Nori Korsman placed fifth (21:47.4), followed by Ishpeming freshman Sophie Mahoski (21:57).

Sophomore Elli Harju was Calumet’s leader in eighth (22:17.8). Sophomore Romi Coponen paced Jeffers in 11th (22:41.1) and Hancock senior Jill Berg took 14th (23:11.9).

Many of the Copper Country schools are competing in today’s Westwood Invitational, followed by WestPAC meets at Houghton and Calumet next week.

The Upper Peninsula Finals take place Oct. 18 at Munising.

Negaunee Invitational

Boys

Painesdale Jeffers 42, Houghton 58, Gladstone 79, Ishpeming Westwood 85, Negaunee 96, Manistique 189, Hancock 201. Calumet, Gwinn, Ishpeming, West Iron County NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Cameron Anderson, Painesdale Jeffers 16:34.8; 2, Henry Plummer, Negaunee, 17:05.1; 3, Landon Larson, Painesdale Jeffers, 17:26.1; 4, Simon Jaklin, Negaunee, 17:48.6; 5, Kemper Gearhart, Ishpeming, 17:55.9; 6, Benjamin Hemmer, Houghton, 17:56.4; 7, Calvin Carlson, Ishpeming Westwood, 18:15.9; 8, Blake Heltunen, Painesdale Jeffers, 18:23.5; 9, Jared Waterman, Ishpeming Westwood, 18:27.1; 10, Branson Anderson, Painesdale Jeffers, 18:30.4.

Girls

Houghton 23, Negaunee 56, Calumet 61, Hancock 84, Ishpeming Westwood 125. Gladstone, West Iron County, Manistique, Ishpeming, Painesdale Jeffers, Republic-Michigamme, Gwinn NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Keira Waterman, Negaunee, 20:38.9; 2, Sela Niska, Houghton, 20:53.3; 3, Holly Cooke, Houghton, 21:19.2; 4, Norah Woodruff, Houghton, 21:31.1; 5, Nori Korsman, Negaunee, 21:47.4; 6, Sophie Mahoski, Ishpeming, 21:57; 7, Jovie Williams, Houghton, 22:15.1; 8, Elli Harju, Calumet, 22:17.8; 9, Lexi Gilbert, Gladstone, 22:20.6; 10, Peyton Takkunen, Gladstone, 22:33.2.