Patterson Makes Move From 6th to 1st
November 3, 2012
By Bill Khan
Special to Second Half
BROOKLYN — Gina Patterson of Macomb Lutheran North was one of the favorites to win the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 cross country championship, based on her performance last season.
She may have been the only person who didn’t view herself as one of the runners to beat.
Perhaps it was the power of tempered expectations that relieved her of any pressure. Whatever it was, Patterson dominated a field that featured some of last year’s top finishers to win going away with a time of 17:43.4 Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.
Patterson was sixth at the MHSAA Final last season, finishing behind three runners who were in Saturday’s race.
St. Louis senior Raquel Serna was the runner-up for the second straight year, finishing in 17:59.8. Shepherd junior Kaylie Rhynard, who was fifth last year, took seventh in 18:25.9. Ida sophomore Ashley Sorge, fourth last year, was eighth in 18:33.6.
“I just came out here and looked forward to having a good experience,” Patterson said. “It was a great surprise.”
In shattering her personal best, Patterson reached the mile in just under 5:30. She took the lead for good after the two-mile mark.
“It felt great,” she said. “I didn’t know how fast we were going. When we crossed the line, I wasn’t expecting it to be that quick of a first mile. I just pushed it to finish it and seal it.”
As the race unfolded, she wasn’t sure if the fast early pace would catch up with her.
“I kept looking back and thinking if I was going too fast and what was going to happen,” said Patterson, who was relieved to see the gap between her and Serna growing as she entered the stadium for the final half mile.
The team race was considerably closer, with Jackson Lumen Christi edging Grandville Calvin Christian by a 167-171 margin. Caro was third with 201 points.
It was the Titans’ ninth MHSAA team championship and first since 2007.
Sophomore Caitlin Clark was 18th among team runners in 19:09.1, followed closely by sophomore Aubrey Penn in 19th place in 19:10.8 to lead Lumen Christi. Rounding out the scoring were freshman Jensen McEldowney (35th, 19:46.4), senior Leanne Leuthard (40th, 19:54.7) and senior Anna Berkemeier (55th, 20:16.5).
PHOTO: St. Louis' Raquel Serna (1711) and Macomb Lutheran North's Gina Patterson keep pace at the front of the Division 3 Final. Patterson broke away for the win. (Click to see more from RunMichigan.com.)
Fure Completes Comeback, Rudyard Sweeps & L'Anse Claims 1st Finals Win
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
October 18, 2025
MUNISING — A few months ago, Ella Fure wasn’t sure she’d be able to run cross country this fall.
The Marquette High School senior had mononucleosis this summer and missed a lot of time from training and a few early-season meets.
She made up for lost time and regained her Upper Peninsula Division 1 title here Saturday by covering the 3.1 miles on the Pictured Rocks Golf Course in 18:53.3 – the fourth-fastest time in UP Division 1 Finals history.
“That was my goal,” she said. “I ran in God’s name more than in my own, and that’s why I think I was successful. It was also my goal to run as hard as I can. This was my last high school cross country meet. I just left it all on the course.”
This marked the fourth straight team title for Marquette, which scored 39 points. The Sentinels were followed by Sault Ste. Marie with 53 and Houghton with 63.
“I’m really excited,” Fure said. “I’m going to the MITCA meet in Mount Pleasant in two weeks and will be going downstate for indoor meets. I’m proud of all the girls. They really showed up today. I’m really proud of Emma (Ziegler), who’s a freshman. We worked so hard for this.”
Kingsford sophomore Maria Murvich placed second (20:25.5), followed by Negaunee junior Keira Waterman (20:33) and Houghton sophomores Holly Cooke (20:39.4) and Sela Niska (20:41.1).
“I tried to keep Ella within my sight,” Murvich said. “I’m so proud of her. She has come a long way.
“I’m very happy with my season. I have something to build on. It was a little warm out there, but a good day for a run. This is awesome.”
Houghton senior Tessa Rautiola, who was crowned champion two of the past three years, ran for the first time in six weeks due to a stress fracture. She placed 18th this time in 22:05.8
Division 2
Rudyard edged four-time reigning champion Hancock 28-32 for its first title in 14 years. Third-place Ironwood scored 67 points.
“The girls worked their tails off all year,” Rudyard coach Mike Kirschner said. “We have a group of girls who worked all summer long. They (Hancock) were injury-riddled this season, but really poured it on toward the end.
“We have a young group. I’m just so proud of the way they performed. We should be stronger next year.”
Rudyard freshman Melissa Kirschner won in 21:56.6. She was followed by Munising sophomore Addie Bowerman at 21:58.4, Hancock senior Jill Berg (22:05.1), Painesdale Jeffers sophomore Remi Coponen (22:37.7) and Hancock senior Lydia Pelli (22:49.3).
“I just wanted to get out there and run my race and have a big kick,” Kirschner said. “It really helps having everyone on different parts of the course and cheering me on. It was nice having somebody at the mile mark calling out my time. This is a big motivator to keep me running and pushing hard.”
Division 3
This marked what is believed to be the first U.P. Finals team title for L’Anse, which scored 51 points. The Purple Hornets were followed by last year’s champion Ewen-Trout Creek with 99 and Stephenson at 112.
Pickford senior Talya Schreiber claimed the Division 3 individual race at 18:31.6, followed by Newberry senior Samantha Taylor (18:48.7), junior Abby Taylor (20:29.3) and freshman Molly McNamara (20:52.5), and L’Anse sophomore Lily Froese (21:02.1).
Schreiber had broken 18 minutes twice this season. She ran a 17:46 at Shepherd on Sept. 27 and 17:54 in the final leg of the Eastern U.P. Conference jamborees at her home course Monday.
“I felt really good (Monday),” she said. “That may have taken a little out of me for today, but it’s pretty amazing. I will probably run in some indoor meets this winter. I’m hoping track season will be pretty good.”
PHOTOS (Top) Marquette's Ella Fure leads and eventually wins the Upper Peninsula Division 1 Girls Final at Picture Rocks Golf Course in Munising. (Middle) As Rudyard's Melissa Kirschner approaches the finish line, Munising's Addie Bowernman challenges. (Below) L'Anse's Lily Froese is close behind Ewen-Trout Creek's Bree Besonen. (Photos by Cara Kamps.)