Ely once again outshined other small-school competition at the second cross country meet of the fall.
The Ely boys were fourth in a 10-team field and the girls team placed fifth among the same number of teams at the Sept. 4 Titan Invitational, held at Eagle Ridge in Coleraine.
But only larger schools were in front of the Timberwolves in both events, and Ely set the pace for the Class A schools at the meet, held amid unseasonably cool early-September conditions, The Ely boys were led by sophomore Wyatt Devine, who took 14th in the 5,000 meter race around the golf course, finishing in 17:24.4, about 50 seconds behind the winner - Brainerd junior Jonathan Cowell.
Ely cemented its team standing by depth in the 91-runner event, with four other Wolves in the top half of the field.
Junior Brooks Brenny was next in 30th overall (18:08.9), with Otto Devine (33rd, 18:13.5), Oliver Hohenstein (35th, 18:20.2), Blake Houde (37th, 18:25.4) and Mason Kurnava (18:45.2).
Next up was senior Drew Johnson, who placed 46th (18:59.7).
In varsity girls action, Ely’s combination of Molly Brophy and Mattie Lindsay - both returning state meet athletes - packed a potent one-two punch.
Brophy finished 16th in 20:50.8 and Lindsay was less than 10 seconds behind, and next at 17th.
Freshman Katy Brophy wound up 25th in 21:40.9, and she was followed by Isabella Macho (46th, 23:12.7), Elsa Ellerbroek (52nd, 23:35.2), Moxie Lindsay (53rd, 23:45.9) and Payson Kundinger (57th, 24:17.4).
In junior varsity action, Ely’s Lillie O’Neill took ninth (25:07.7) in the girls race and teammate Lucy Dunn (11th, 26:17.4).
The Wolves had three places in the boys JV contest, with sophomore Grant Chittum leading the way in 18th (19:28). Next up were Aksel Skustad (21st, 19:30.2) and Mason Molden (55th, 23:30.5).
The Ely boys were well represented in the 2,500 meter junior high event, with Grady Anderson the runner-up in 11:47.2.
Ely’s next-highest junior high boys were Boden Devine in 11th (12:18), Liam Kurnava (13th, 12:23.7) and Elliot Eastham (21st, 12:56).
The Wolves’ top-three junior high girls were Jenna Bermel (14th, 14:26.4), Sally Dunn (21st, 14:49.2) and Kelsie O’Neill (55th, 20:44.4).
The Ely teams return to action Tuesday at the Grand Rapids Invitational, and the Wolves’ lone home meet is set for Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the Ely Golf Course.
