ESCANABA — Breaking into Marquette’s front pack has been a monumental task for other Upper Peninsula boys’ cross country teams all season.

The Redmen placed seven among the top eight here Thursday, earning their 10th straight Great Northern Conference title with 19 points. Gladstone edged Escanaba 64-73 for runner-up honors.

“This is a very proud moment for our program,” said Marquette coach Derek Marr. “The kids believe in it and keep working together. We had one guy who ran for the first time and finished in the 17s. We have a lot of senior leaders and they’re bringing the other guys along.”

The Marquette girls won for the 23rd consecutive time with 16 points, followed by Esky 51 and Gladstone 61.

Gladstone senior Drew Hughes was runner-up in the boys’ race, covering the 3.1-mile course on this cloudy and cool day at the Escanaba Country Club in a season-best 16 minutes, 33. seconds.

“I’m definitely happy with that,” he said. “This is a nice course and we had perfect weather for this meet. I felt relaxed. I’m glad I got my time down. This is a big confidence boost going into the U.P. (Division 1) Finals.”

Marquette, which placed 10th in the Division 1 standings at downstate Portage Oct. 8, was led by senior Colon Vanderschaaf who won Thursday’s race at 16:29.7. Classmate Brady Ketzenberger placed third (17:05.3).

“I think that gave us momentum coming into the GNCs,” said Vanderschaaf. “Running against that kind of competition helps. Drew was right there all the way. It’s nice to have the competition, although it was a little nerve-wracking at times.”

Gladstone sophomore Aaron Hughes took ninth in a personal-best 17:42.7, followed by junior teammate Tanner Howes (17:49.3) and Esky junior Nate Lanaville (18:29.7), also a PR.

“We knew it’d be close between us and Escanaba,” said Braves’ coach Gary Whitmer. “It’s nice we were able to pull out second. The kids ran very well. We had a lot of personal-bests today. We had very good weather for running.”

Marquette sophomore Monet Argeropoulos gained her first victory this year at 19:57.5, followed by freshman teammate Ella Fure (19:59) and junior Abby Harma (21:23.2).

“This was real exciting and winning as a team was even better,” said Argeropoulos. “It was real encouraging to see how fast everybody is getting on our team.”

Menominee senior Attica Brandt placed fourth (21:32.1), followed by Marquette senior Elodie Malherbe (21:37.9) and Esky sophomore Alisha Mabie (21:39.4).

“I felt pretty good,” said Brandt. “I like the colder weather. I was hoping to break 21, but maybe I can get it done at the Finals. This was a confidence builder going into the Finals. I felt pretty comfortable.”

Esky junior Annabelle Neumeier took eighth (22:15.2) and Gladstone junior Kayla Farnes was 10th (23:16.2).

GNC CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Thursday, Oct. 13

At Marquette, Final Results

Boys Division:

Team scores — Marquette 19, Gladstone 64, Escanaba 73, Kingsford 101, Menominee 116.

Top 10 — 1, Colin Vanderschaaf, Marquette, 16:29.7; 2, Drew Hughes, Gladstone, 19:33.8; 3, Brady Ketzenberger, Marquette, 17:05.3; 4, Peter Argeropoulus, Marquette, 17:06.9; 5, Adam White, Marquette, 17:07.7; 6, Cullen Papin, Marquette, 17:08.2; 7, Chase Thomsen, Marquette, 17:11.6; 8, James Kraeg, Marquette, 17:12.7; 9, Aaron Hughes, Gladstone, 17:42.7; 10, Tanner Howes, Gladstone, 17:49.3.

Girls Division: 

Team scores — Marquette 16, Escanaba 51, Gladstone 61. Kingsford and Menominee NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Monet Argeropoulus, Marquette, 19:57.5; 2, Ella Fure, Marquette, 19:59; Abby Harma, Marquette, 21:23.2; 4, Attica Brandt, Menominee, 21:32.1; 5, Elodie Malherbe, Marquette, 21:37.9; 6, Alisha Mabie, Escanaba, 21:39.4; 7, Ida Larsen, Marquette, 22:09.9; 8, Annabelle Neumeier, Escanaba, 22:15.2; 9, Emmi Kruhak, Marquette, 22:16.6; 10, Kayla Farnes, Gladstone, 23:16.2.