MUNISING — The L’Anse girls hoisted what is believed to be their first Upper Peninsula Division 3 cross country championship trophy here Saturday by scoring 51 points.

They were followed by defending champion Ewen-Trout Creek 99 and Stephenson 112.

Pickford senior Talya Schreiber became the individual champion, covering the 3.1 miles on the Pictured Rocks Golf Course in 18:31.6. She was followed by Newberry senior Samantha Taylor (18:48.7), junior Abby Taylor (20:29.3) and freshman Molly McNamara (20:52.5) on this sunny and warm day.

Sophomore Lily Froese paced the Purple Hornets in fifth at 21:02.1 and classmate Kwynn Voskuhl took eighth (21:36.8).

Also reaching the podium for L’Anse were sophomores Princess Pierre in 14th (22:20) and Aaliyah Maki 15th (22:20.3).

Sophomore Bree Besonen was E-TC’s pacesetter in sixth (21:22.4). Dollar Bay was led by eighth-grader Lily Hakola in 20th (23:12.2) with sophomore Aybri Sorenson (23:47.8) taking 25th for Baraga.

Hancock’s quest for a fifth straight D-2 title came up four points short as Rudyard won for the first time in 14 years with 28 points. The Bulldogs scored 32 and third-place Ironwood had 67.

Rudyard freshman Melissa Kirschner copped the individual title at 21:56.6. She was followed by Munising sophomore Addie Bowerman (21:58.4), Hancock senior Jill Berg (22:05.1), Jeffers sophomore Remi Coponen (22:37.7), Hancock senior Lydia Pelli (22:49.3) and Jeffers senior Claire Heltunen (22:51.3).

Bulldogs’ junior Lauren Larson also got on the podium by taking 15th (24:35).

“Jill had a great race,” Hancock coach Jenn Smith said. “They really did a great job catching some of the Rudyard girls, but it just wasn’t quite enough. We didn’t think we had a prayer early in the season, but two new girls came out. Without them we wouldn’t have had a full team. Lauren was our top runner in the first 3-4 races, but pulled something in her leg. Although, she still got into the top 15 today.”

Marquette won for the fourth consecutive time with 39 points, followed by Sault Ste. Marie 52 and Houghton 63.

The Gremlins were led by sophomores Holly Cooke in fourth (20:39.4) and Sela Niska fifth (20:41.1).

“I’m very happy with my place,” Cooke said. “I just wanted to go out and run one for our team. I’m very grateful I had the opportunity to come out. I had lots of fun. I’m also very happy Tessa (Rautiola) got to run.”

Niska believes she and Cooke share a common bond.

“She’s my best friend,” Niska said. “It’s very fun. Holly didn’t run last year. I’m glad she came out. We were right next to each other and paced off each other.”

Marquette senior Ella Fure won for the second time in three years at 18:53.3, which enabled her to reach the U.P.’s all-time top 10 list. She was followed by Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich (20:25.5) and Negaunee junior Keira Waterman (20:33).

“That was my goal,” Fure said. “I ran in God’s name more than in my own and that’s why I think I was successful. It was also my goal to run as hard as I could. This was my last high school cross country meet. I just left it all on the course.”

Houghton senior Jovie Williams took 16th (21:57.2) and Rautiola, who was crowned champion a year ago, missed six weeks due to a stress fracture. She was 18th this time (22:05.8).

“We lost Norah (Woodruff) due to appendicitis,” Gremlins’ coach Traci Welch said. “Although, we’re glad Tessa was able to run. Tessa ran well considering she hadn’t run in about six weeks, and she was very appreciative.”

Junior Alexa Hoffman was Calumet’s leader in 30th (23:23.8).