Theresa Proudfit/The Daily News Runners FROM KINGSFORD and Gladstone take off at the start of the Great Northern Conference cross country finals Thursday.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Kingsford junior Melanie Wenzel got a chance to enjoy a moment in the winner’s circle here Thursday, earning top honors in the Great Northern Conference cross country meet.

The first-year harrier covered the hilly 3.1-mile course at Iron Mountain City Park in 21 minutes, 5.4 seconds. She was followed by Marquette junior Olivia Moffitt (21:36) and Flivvers’ junior Sarah Kulas (21:45.4) on this cloudy and breezy day.

“I wanted to go out fast and tried to pick it up on the hills,” said Wenzel, who started to get separation midway through the race. “We had to do that in practice and it prepared us well. The hills were mostly in the middle of the race and you had to gauge how much energy you had left. As a team we came real close. I think this gives us some momentum going into the U.P. (Division 1) Finals.”

The Marquette girls captured their 20th consecutive title with 32 points, followed by Kingsford 36 and Menominee 84.

“This was very interesting,” said Marquette coach Kyle Detmers. “Kingsford beat us last time at the Barnyard (Classic at Flat Rock Oct. 3). The girls were looking forward to competing. Great job to Kingsford. They’re so well coached. We knew they were going to be good and they’re getting faster.”

The Redettes ran without their top two runners, including three-time GNC champion Ericka Asmus.

Kingsford coach Dan Carey said he was pleased with the Flivvers’ performance.

“I thought our girls did an awesome job,” he added. “In 16 years of coaching, this is the best girls’ team I’ve had. They don’t give up. Every team will have to fight for position in the U.P. (Division 1) Finals. Hopefully, this gives us momentum. I think they’re still hungry.”

Kulas was followed by Menominee sophomore Hayden Buck (22:03.8) and Kingsford’s Taylor Demay (22:12.2).

“We had some hard practice and I was kind of tired today,” said Kulas. “I’m pretty happy with my time. I started a little slower today. The Marquette girls ran real well. I thought our team did really good. Everybody ran well.”

Kingsford’s Lily Menghini reached the top 10 at 23:10.8.

The Marquette boys, who placed seven among the top 10, won for the seventh straight time with 27 points. They were followed by Gladstone 58 and Menominee 62.

Gladstone sophomore Giovanni Mathews won in 17:44.6, followed by freshman teammate Drew Hughes (17:45.2) and Marquette senior Moses Waite (17:57.2).

Luke Sturm was Kingsford’s leader in 20:19 and taking 19th place.

The Flivvers are idle until Oct. 19 when they travel to Marquette for the U.P. Finals.

BOYS: Marquette 27, Gladstone 58, Menominee 62, Escanaba 113, Kingsford 124.

Top 10 — 1, Giovanni Mathews, Gladstone, 17:44.6; 2, Drew Hughes, Gladstone, 17:45.2; 3, Moses Waite, Marquette, 17:57.2; 4, Colin Vanderschaaf, Marquette, 18:09.1; 5, Hogan Nemetz, Marquette, 18:22.1; 6, Hunter Shepeck, Menominee, 18:32.4; 7, Peyton Osborne, Marquette, 18:36.9; 8, Lincoln Seger, Marquette, 18:38.2; 9, Carson Vanderschaaf. Marquette, 18:47.9; 10, Luke Janofski, Marquette, 18:51.6.

GIRLS: Marquette 32, Kingsford 36, Menominee 84, Gladstone 97, Escanaba 116.

Top 10 — 1, Melanie Wenzel, Kingsford, 21:05.4; 2, Olivia Moffitt, Marquette, 21:36; 3, Sarah Kulas, Kingsford, 21:45.4; 4, Hayden Buck, Menominee, 22:03.8; 5, Taylor Demay, Kingsford, 22:12.2; 6, Reegan Ketzenberger, Marquette, 22:25.8; 7, Guinn Wuorinen, Marquette, 22:46.3; 8, Lillian Weycher, Marquette, 22:56.5; 9, Anna Grzelak, Marquette, 22:57.8; 10, Lily Menghini, Kingsford, 23:10.8.