2025 Runners-Up Become 2026 Champions in Girls Division 4 Final
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
November 7, 2026
BROOKLYN – Runner-up redemption was the theme of the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Girls Cross Country Final.
Hillsdale Academy and Gobles senior Libby Smith, who finished as runners-up in the team and individual standings a year ago, got over the hump Saturday at Michigan International Speedway to bring home the first titles in their program’s histories.
Smith was dominant in the individual race, leading throughout on her way to a winning margin of nearly 18 seconds. She finished in 18 minutes, 18.9 seconds, with Martin’s Veyda Conley finishing second at 18:36.8. Two-time defending champion Kaylie Livingston was third at 18:53.2.
“I felt really ready,” Smith said. “Sometimes I feel really nervous, and I was nervous, but it’s good to have nerves going into a race. I felt really confident. I knew that I just had to believe in myself and I did, and it showed.”
Smith was just six seconds behind Livingston a year ago, and had finished third as a sophomore and seventh as a freshman.
Having been so close in past years served as motivation this time, but her biggest regret from a year ago was missing some of her teammates finish while giving an interview. This year, she made sure to see every Gobles runner cross the line, including Ava DeYoung and Lauren Shaffer who finished seventh and 10th.
“Oh my gosh, we kept talking about it, that we’re all seniors and we can all go top 10,” Smith said. “I was so happy when I saw Lauren and Ava. I knew they could do it – they just had to know it, too, and they did.”
Hillsdale Academy won the team race with 117 points, well ahead of Onekama and three-time defending champion Whitmore Lake who each scored 169. (Onekama finished second based on the sixth-runner tie-breaker.)
The Colts clinched despite having just one runner, Evelyn Meyer, finish among the top 30 individuals and earn all-state.
“The mile and a half, I was confident – I felt good about where we were at,” Hillsdale Academy coach Michael Nikkila said. “I felt good about where we were, the girls all looked good and they were moving forward. At the 2-mile, everything had just gotten better. At that point, it was just, if we finish we’re going to get in. At that point, it was just can we get anyone else in the top 30. We’re not that team, we’re between 38 and 50. We weren’t a bunch of all-staters today, but we were a state championship team.”
Meyer finished eighth overall (sixth among competitors in the team race) with a time of 19:25. The next four Colts all finished within six places of one another.
Eliza Roberts was 38th (25th among team racers) at 20:33.2, Moira Beier was 40th (27th) at 20:35.2, Norah Tracy was 42nd (29th) at 20:34.4 and Heather Morris rounded out the scoring in 44th (30th) at 20:58.7.
Runners six and seven didn’t score but weren’t far behind, as Maren Gehrke was 51st in 20:58.7, and Lorelei Stemme was 78th in 21:20.6.
PHOTOS (Top) Gobles Libby Smith pushes toward the finish of the Division 4 girls race Saturday at MIS. (Middle) Hillsdale Academy’s Evelyn Meyer (1420) races through the final stretch. (Click for more from Dave McCauley/RunMichigan.com.)
Hancock, Munising Reign Again, While Marquette Wins Matchup of Rivals
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
October 22, 2022
FLAT ROCK — There was a feeling the race for the Upper Peninsula Division 1 girls championship would be a close one here Saturday.
That’s exactly how it played out as Marquette edged two-time reigning champion Houghton 35-37. Third-place Sault Ste. Marie scored 104 points.
“The girls did fantastic,” said Marquette coach Derek Marr. “I’m impressed with the way they came through. We were down slightly after two miles, then they really picked it up. I applaud the Houghton girls for their effort. They really went after it.”
Houghton freshman Tessa Rautiola won the 3.1-mile race in 20 minutes, 11 hundredths of a second. She was followed by Sault senior Cassandra Gallagher (20:07.7) and Marquette freshman Ella Fure (20:13.69).
“I just wanted to enjoy the last race of the season,” said Rautiola. “I’m happy with how everything went. We’re pretty happy with our performance. I think this will just make us work harder next year.”
Gallagher achieved a personal record by one second.
“I’m very happy with that,” she said. “I’m also happy with how our team did. I didn’t want to go out too hard today. I was in 10th place at the mile mark. This was my last high school cross country race and I really wanted to give it my all. I tried to catch Tessa, but she ran a real good race. We had nice weather. There were a lot of hills out there, but I liked the course.”
Fure said this was a learning experience for her.
“I learned to work with our team and trust in myself,” she added. “I tried to spread out my energy, which takes a lot of practice. My pacing didn’t go as well in the past. We had been running on flatter courses the last couple weeks to save it for the Finals. We had a few hills out there today, and I had to get used to that all over again. I appreciate all the support I received from our team and coaches.”
Marquette placed the third, fourth, seventh, 10th and 13th placers to edge Houghton, which had finishers in first, fifth, eighth, 11th and 14th. Sophomore Monet Argeropoulos followed Fure in fourth, with junior Abby Harma crossing the line seventh for Marquette. Sophomore Lily Ross was fifth for Houghton, and junior Ayla Miller was eighth.
Division 2
Hancock repeated as Division 2 champion with 23 points, followed by Ishpeming with 40 and Powers North Central at 68.
Ishpeming junior Lola Korpi retained her individual title in 20:18.81, followed by Manistique freshman Maya Carlson (21:26.38) and Bessemer (Gogebic) senior Natalie Stone (21:31.6).
“That’s awesome,” said Korpi, who had been battling a chest cold. “I was going for time. I’m still battling a chest cold and struggled a little with my breathing.
“We had a full team for the first time this year. I’m so happy the girls decided to run. Hancock was tough to beat. There was a little more pressure trying to defend my title, but it’s really nice to bring something back to our school.”
Carlson was also happy with the way everything fell into place.
“We had only four runners today, but still did good as a team,” she said. “I thought I had a chance to win it, but then I just wanted to stay in second place and finish with her (Stone). I think this was my best race of the year. I got stronger as the race went on. I did some races during the summer, and that helped a lot.”
Hancock surged on the strength of four top-10 individual placers – sophomore Ella Keranen in fifth, senior Maylie Kilpela in sixth, sophomore Rayna Towles in seventh and senior Liana Berg in ninth.
Division 3
Munising captured its third consecutive title with 26 points, followed by Eben Junction Superior Central at 71 and Stephenson with 97.
“We knew what we wanted to do this season and came out of here with a huge win,” said Munising coach Mark Kinnunen. “This just shows what hard work and leadership can do for you, and our senior leadership was as strong as it ever was.
“Competing with Superior Central is awesome. It’s fun having the two schools do so well. We went from having just one runner to earning three straight U.P. titles. I ran for Fran (former coach DesArmo) and learned a lot from him. It’s an exciting time to be coaching this team.”
Newberry freshman Samantha Taylor earned the top individual honor in 20:06.34, and junior teammate and 2021 champion Kaylen Clark was runner-up in a season-best 20:18.09.
“I’m obviously disappointed I didn’t win, but happy for Sam. She had an amazing season,” said Clark. I’m happy with the progress I made this year. We should be able to compete as a team next year, which will make it more fun. I gave it everything I had. I plan on training real hard. This just makes me hungrier for it.”
Munising senior Monique Brisson placed third (21:36.09), followed by classmate Hattie Cota (21:54.33).
“I think it’s pretty cool the two Alger County schools finished on top,” Brisson said. “We know each other pretty well. I’m proud of our team and definitely happy for them. It’s a pretty hard course, but I’m obviously capable of better. I’m happy for Hattie. She finished strong.”
PHOTOS (Top) Houghton's freshman Tessa Rautiola (47) and sophomore teammate Lily Ross (48), and Marquette freshman Ella Fure (83) and sophomore Monet Argeropoulos (81) run together during the Division 1 race. (2) Ishpeming's Lola Korpi smiles after she finishes the Division 2 Final. (3) Hancock's Ella Keranen (138), Rayna Towles (143), and Maylie Kilpela (140) run together during the Division 2 Final. (4) Competitors break away from the start during the Division 3 Final. (Photos by Cara Kamps.)