Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich placed third Thursday at the Great Northern Conference cross country meet at Presque Isle Park in Marquette. (Ron Deuter photo)

MARQUETTE — It was a birthday to remember for Ella Fure as she regained her Great Northern Conference cross country title on her home course here Thursday.

The Marquette High School senior, who just turned 17, covered the 3.1-mile course at Presque Isle Park in 18:53.9 on this sunny, windy and seasonably cool afternoon.

Her latest effort was the fastest time recorded by a Marquette female runner at Presque Isle, but slightly more than five seconds away from the course record (18:48.8) by Emily Paupore of Negaunee in the 2019 Marquette County meet.

Lindsey Rudden had the previous best time by a Marquette runner at Presque Isle (19:09.5) a decade ago.

This marked the second GNC championship for Fure, who placed third a year ago after winning as a sophomore in 2023.

“My goal was to go out a little harder,” she said. “I was 10 seconds faster than usual at the mile and was able to get into a rhythm. At that point I was on pace to break 19. The weather was nearly perfect and I felt good at all times.”

Marquette’s girls maintained their stranglehold on the GNC title, winning for the 26th consecutive year with 18 points. Kingsford was runner-up at 44.

The Marquette’s boys won for the 13th time in a row with 19 points, followed by Gladstone 56 and Kingsford 79.

Marquette freshman Emma Ziegler was runner-up in the girls’ race at 20:41.3, followed by Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich (21:02.8) and Menominee senior Winley Brandt (21:41.9).

“I really wanted to beat the girl who got third,” Ziegler said. “I pushed myself on the hills and passed her on the last one. This is definitely a big change from middle school. The course is longer. Our team did a great job. They’re working hard.”

Marquette senior Peter Argeropoulos won the boys’ race at 16:31.6, followed by Kingsford junior Cavan Mulligan (18:03.9) and Marquette sophomore Luke Skytta (18:11.1).

Boys

Marquette 19, Gladstone 56, Kingsford 79, Escanaba 95, Menominee NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Peter Argeropoulos, Marquette, 16:31.6; 2, Cavan Mulligan, Kingsford, 18:03.9; 3, Luke Skytta, Marquette, 18:11.1; 4, Garrett Crimmins, Marquette, 18:38.2; 5, Welly Fillmore, Marquette, 18:50.9; 6, D.J. Menhennick, Marquette, 19:00.6; 7, William Lindsay, Marquette, 19:00.7; 8, Cristian Hayen, Gladstone, 19:01.5; 9, Kingston Berube, Escanaba, 19:16.3; 10, Grady Nelson, Gladstone, 19:22.6.

Girls

Marquette 18, Kingsford 44, Escanaba, Gladstone and Menominee NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Ella Fure, Marquette, 18:53.9; 2, Emma Ziegler, Marquette, 20:41.3; 3, Maria Murvich, Kingsford, 21:02.8; 4, Winley Brandt, Menominee, 21:41.9; 5, Esme Ulland-Joy, Marquette, 22:15.8; 6, Ava Cantway, Marquette, 22:38.4; 7, Amira Perrier, Marquette, 22:40.7; 8, Olivia Koren, Marquette, 22:43.6; 9, Olivia Wescott, Kingsford, 23:05.8; 10, Evelyn Grant, Marquette, 23:20.2.