Three of Kingsford’s cross country runners placed in the top 10 of the Kingsford Invitational girls meet Tuesday at Iron Mountain City Park. (Courtesy photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Kingsford girls defended their home turf as they edged Stephenson 26-29 for the title in their own cross country invitational.

“This was a nice win,” Flivvers’ coach Sara Noascone said as rain moved into the area Tuesday. “The girls gave it their all. We placed three in the top 10 which is fantastic. This is absolutely a momentum builder. Thank goodness the rain held off during the meet.”

Stephenson’s boys won with 26 points, five ahead of Kingsford on an overcast afternoon at Iron Mountain City Park.

Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich won her second race in a row, covering the 3.1-mile course in 21:14.3. The Flivvers and Murvich also took top honors in Saturday’s Bay College Invite at Flat Rock.

“I struggled a little on the hills, but I knew where they were and definitely used that to my advantage,” Murvich said. “I knew I wasn’t going to get under 21 minutes today, but I tried. This is definitely a confidence builder. Overall, I was able to run strong.”

It was mind over matter for Kingsford junior Cavan Mulligan, who also won for the second straight time at 18:10.9.

“I started getting the chills due to allergies last night and had a headache before the race,” Mulligan said. “I started thinking it was all mental and just went out and ran my race. I thought I ran a good time for on this course. This is a tough course with a lot of ups and downs. I ran cross country in my freshman year and played football last year, but I like running and decided I wanted to come back to this.”

Many of the runners will be at Banat for Wednesday’s Stephenson Invitational.

Boys

Stephenson 26, Kingsford 31, Escanaba, Menominee and Norway NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Cavan Mulligan, Kingsford, 18:10.9; 2, Canon Kuntze, Stephenson, 19:13.1; 3, Kingston Berube, Escanaba, 20:36.6; 4, Orrin Smith, Kingsford, 20:45.7; 5, Javan Hauswirth, Norway, 20:51; 6, Landon Pivatto, Stephenson, 21:22.1; 7, Henry Zuehls, Menominee, 21:39.5; 8, Luke Olson, Stephenson, 21:53.5; 9, Zander Bowden, Escanaba, 21:57.4; 10, Tyler Phelps, Kingsford, 22:10.1.

Girls

Kingsford 26, Stephenson 29, Escanaba, Powers North Central, Menominee, Norway NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Maria Murvich, Kingsford, 21:14.3; 2, Winley Brandt, Menominee, 21:58.1; 3, Avah Akerly, Escanaba, 22:14.1; 4, Faith Cappaert, Stephenson, 22:45.8; 5, Evey Bevins, Escanaba, 24:09.1; 6, Gabriella Putnam, Stephenson, 24:19.1; 7, Olivia Wescott, Kingsford, 24:39.3; 8, Lauren Adams, Norway, 25:04.5; 9, Maddy Knauf, Powers North Central, 25:08.3; 10, Aalayah Noasconi, Kingsford, 25:30.7