Rapid River senior Emma Sundling crosses the finish line during the Rapid River Invitational on Sept. 21, 2024 at Rapid River High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

RAPID RIVER — This has been a long time coming for the Rapid River girls.

The Rockets secured their first cross country championship in several years, gaining top honors in their own invitational with 16 points. Runner-up Manistique scored 39.

“This is the first time I’ve been part of a championship team,” senior Emma Sundling said. “I was really shocked. Our team ran really well. We’re really happy. We had three people medal. Winning as a team on our home course is really awesome. We have some bigger meets coming up. That will be hard to do (today) at Munising, but we also have some smaller meets ahead. Now we know we can go out and do it. This is a very nice surprise.”

Sundling placed sixth by covering the 3.1-mile course in 25:30.4.

“It was a small group,” Rockets’ coach Zach Truitt said. “You never know who’s going to show up. We were fortunate enough to have a full team, but most of the schools didn’t have full teams. Hope (Varoni) wasn’t here which hurt North Central, although our girls did well. This is a big boost for them. Everybody liked the course. Nobody complained. We changed the course this year.”

The Stephenson boys edged defending champ Munising 52-57 for the title. Third-place Powers North Central had 71 points.

Stephenson junior Faith Cappaert won the girls’ race at 22:41.5 and Rock Mid Peninsula sophomore Aesara Lupinski was runner-up (24:07.8).

“It was mind over matter,” Cappaert said after her second victory this season. “I went out hard, but It was hot. I tried to run harder in the woods. This was not my best time, although it was a pretty good confidence builder to get in front. I’ve got to practice hard. It will he helpful to see the course (at Munising) before the U.P. Finals.”

Lupinski was followed by Stephenson sophomore Gabriella Putnam (24:42.4), Norway sophomore Lauren Adams (25:08.1) and freshman Kaylee Baldwin (25:10.6).

“In the beginning I tried to stay with her (Cappaert),” Lupinski said. “I find striding takes more energy so I don’t do it a lot. It’s important to get up in front. It was a little warm, but it wasn’t too bad out there. I started running last spring during track. I didn’t run much during the summer.”

In the boys’ race, Munising senior Dan Goss cruised to victory in 17:20.6. He was followed by Stephenson junior Canon Kuntze (18:55.2), North Central sophomore Ben Knauf (19:01.9) and Stephenson senior Owen Kuehnau (19:53.5).

“My time wasn’t too bad for this course,” Goss said. “After the first quarter-mile there’s about a 400-meter stretch that’s all sand. It was super difficult for dual-sport athletes. This is a good tune-up for our home race. Every race is training for the Finals. Although, this wasn’t the best day for our team..”

North Central senior Wes Knauf took fifth at 19:48.9.

“I did some negative split running which I think will get me prepared for Finals,” he said. “I tried a different strategy and ran a little slower time. Dan did what he always does. He works hard at it and is real good. I give all the credit to God. He provides me with the gift to be able to run.”

Munising senior Trevor Nolan was disqualified for going off course and senior Zach Lindquist hurt his ankle and dropped out at the first mile.

“It was my fault,” Nolan said. “I should have been paying closer attention out there.”

Most area teams are in Munising today for the El Harger Memorial Invitational, which starts at 4 p.m.

Boys

Stephenson 52, Munising 57, Powers North Central 71, Manistique and Superior Central 75. Rock Mid Peninsula, Rapid River, Escanaba Holy Name, Crystal Falls Forest Park and Norway NTS.

Top 10 — 1, Dan Goss, Munising, 17:20.6; 2, Canon Kuntze, Stephenson, 18:55.2; 3, Ben Knauf, Powers North Central, 19:01.9; 4, Owen Kuehnau, Stephenson, 19:53.3; 5, Wes Knauf, Powers North Central, 19:48.9; 6, Cody Moore, Superior Central, 19:50.1l 7, Ben Gilroy, Manistique, 19:50.67; 8, Jon Denkins, Rapid River, 19:53.6; 9, Trevor Verba, Stephenson, 20:05.7; 10, Emmanuel Vande Hey, Escanaba Holy Name, 20:02.8.

Girls

Rapid River 16, Manistique 39. Rock Mid Peninsula, Stephenson, Norway, Powers North Central, Escanaba Holy Name and Superior Central.

Top 10 — 1, Faith Cappaert, Stephenson, 22:41.5; 2, Aesara Lupinski, Rock Mid Peninsula, 24:07.8; 3, Gabriella Putnam, Stephenson, 24:42.4; 4, Lauren Adams, Norway, 25;08.1; 5, Kaylee Baldwin, Norway, 25:10.6; 6, Emma Sundling, Rapid River, 25:30.4; 7, Callie Flagstad, Powers North Central, 25:37.2; 8, Isabella Johnson, Powers North Central, 25:37.2; 9, Emelia Hodge, Escanaba Holy Name, 25:39.4; 10, Adrian Anderson, Stephenson, 27:04.9.