By John Vrancic

For the Daily News

MUNISING — Using a familiar strategy paid off for Drew Hughes here Tuesday as he earned the title in the El Harger Memorial Invitational cross country meet.

The Gladstone sophomore gained his first varsity victory by covering the 3.1-mile course in a personal-best 17 minutes, 3.97 seconds. He was followed by Marquette sophomore twins Carson and Colin Vanderschaaf at 17:09.81 and 17:14.31, respectively and their teammate Luke Janofski (17:14.81) and Ishpeming’s Joey King (17:42.91) at Pictured Rocks Golf & Country Club.

“I just stayed with the leaders,” said Hughes. “It feels awesome winning my first varsity race. This is a lot different from Kingsford. It was really hot there. This was real nice weather for running. This is one of my favorite courses.”

“Drew ran a nice race,” said Braves’ coach Gary Whitmer. “I think all the kids ran personal-bests. The girls ran well, too. We had pretty good performances all around. The temperature (upper 50s) was good for running.”

Marquette, which placed seven in the top 11, won with 23 points. The Redmen were followed by Ishpeming 57 and Gladstone 62.

“The boys had a nice pack run, and the girls ran some real good times,” said Marquette coach Kyle Detmers. We were missing two varsity (girls’) runners. Olivia Moffitt ran a real good race.”

The rain held off for most of the boys’ race, but the girls had it for the first half of their race.

Ishpeming freshman Lola Korpi dominated the girls’ race in a school-record 19:20. Moffitt was runner-up (20:45), followed by Negaunee junior Endla Harris (20:48), Mid Peninsula senior Daisy Englund (20:55) and Kingsford senior Melanie Wenzel (20:56).

“I felt pretty good at first, then — at 1 1/2 miles — I felt a little tired,” said Englund. “I think the adrenalin is running off after the first mile, and I’m getting a little too comfortable halfway through the race. I didn’t mind the rain. It was raining when we ran into the woods. Then, it was done.”

The Marquette girls also won with 48 points, followed by Negaunee 99, Kingsford 104, Munising 105 and Gladstone 115.

Kingsford senior Sarah Kulas placed sixth (21:07).

“Sarah was looking strong for three-quarters of the race,” said Kingsford coach Dan Carey. “Mel is tough and Lola is a very strong runner. Luke Ruble ran a season-best time (18:38.84) and took 15th. He’s working hard.”

Gladstone is hosting an invitational Monday at Richer’s farmhouse in Flat Rock; the Flivvers will be competing in the event.

Boys

Marquette 28, Ishpeming 57, Gladstone 62, Negaunee 170, Munising 187, Stephenson 188, Manistique 209, Norway 220, Rapid River 232, North Central 233, Kingsford 266.

Girls

Marquette 48, Negaunee 99, Kingsford 104, Munising 105, Gladstone 115, Ishpeming 128, Mid Peninsula 158, Stephenson 168, North Central 233, Manistique 244.

Top 10 — 1, Lola Korpi, Ishpeming, 19:20 (school record); 2, Olivia Moffitt, Marquette, 20:45; 3, Endla Harris, 20:48; 4, Daisy Englund, Mid Peninsula, 20:55 (school record); 5, Melanie Wenzel, Kingsford, 20:56; 6, Sarah Kulas, Kingsford, 21:07; 7, Serre Helms-Gleason, Negaunee, 21:14; 8, Lillian Weycher, Marquette, 21:20; 9, Hattie Cota, Munising, 21:31; 10, Guinn Wuorinen, Marquette, 21:40.