By John Vrancic

For the Daily News

MARQUETTE — The race for top individual honors was nearly as tight as could be for the Great Northern Conference boys’ cross country title here Thursday.

Gladstone sophomore Drew Hughes earned that honor by covering the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 31.9 seconds, a step ahead of Marquette sophomore Carson Vanderschaaf on this cloudy, chilly and windy day at Presque Isle Park.

Twin brother Colin Vanderschaaf placed third (17:35.2), and junior teammate Luke Janofski was fourth (17:39.1).

The Marquette boys grabbed seven of the top 12 places and scored 25 points for their eighth straight GNC title. Gladstone was runner-up with 44 and third-place Menominee had 77.

This marked the first meet in three weeks for Esky, which was under quarantine since Sept. 25 due to Covid-19.

The Marquette girls, who placed six in the top nine, collected their 21st consecutive title with 27 points. They were followed by Kingsford 65 and Menominee 71.

Moffitt was crowned GNC champion for the first time at 21:11.2. She was followed by Kingsford senior Sarah Kulas (21:29.6), Menominee junior Hayden Buck (21:52.3) and sophomore Attica Brandt (21:57) and Marquette senior Lillian Weycher (22:18.4).

Kingsford ran without senior Melanie Wenzel, who was feeling under the weather.

“I was about 20 seconds off my PR (personal record), although this is the best time I’ve had on this course,” Kulas said after achieving her highest GNC finish. “It was tough because Mel was out for this meet, so I just tried to stay with the leaders. Hopefully, she’ll be back for the Finals. It’s really nice to get runner-up in the GNC after all these years. The start felt real cold, but it was really nice in the woods. The woods kind of sheltered us.”

All five schools return to Presque Isle Park for the Upper Peninsula Finals Oct. 24.

Boys

Marquette 25, Gladstone 44, Menominee 77, Gladstone 92, Kingsford NTS.

Girls

Marquette 27, Kingsford 65, Menominee 71, Gladstone 72, Escanaba NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Olivia Moffitt, Marquette, 21:11.2; 2, Sarah Kulas, Kingsford, 21:29.6; 3, Hayden Buck, Menominee, 21:52;3, 4, Attica Brandt, Marquette, 21:57; 5, Lillian Weycher, Marquette, 22:18.4; 6, Guinn Wuorinen, Marquette, 22:21.3; 7, Anna Grzelak, Marquette, 22:41.3; 8, Jordann Stephenson, Marquette, 22:45.3; 9, Ella Whalen, Marquette, 22:50.5; 10, Morgan Makosky, Escanaba, 22:54.8.