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ELLSWORTH - Darkening skies above the Ellsworth House on the Hill Invitational threatened to make the cross country course more interesting than it already was, as a talented field of teams assembled for the event Saturday morning, Sep. 13.

Capturing their own title, the Lady Lancers placed first in the small school division, finishing three among the top 10 slots.

Taylor Hartley led teammates Lindsey Fisher (6th, 22:52) and Emily Piellusch (9th, 23:25) by placing third overall in the small school division, running a 21:51.

"I started off much better than I usually do," Hartley said moments after crossing the line. "My goal is to be in the top 20 at stateÉour girls team is phenomenal this year."

The race, comprised of one boys heat and on girls heat, which were divided into small and large school divisions after the run, attracted schools from every class and caliber to compete on a course of twists and turns and one very big up.

"It's a long, steep hill," Mancelona coach Ron Davis said before the start. "A serious hill. Not many will run up."

Though laced with a number of more friendly, rolling hills, the course at Ellsworth presented a balance of challenge and speed, proved by the day's overall boys champion Tec Adams of Harbor Springs. Adams ascended the sharp incline with arms pumping and cruised to the finish line in 15:54, trailed by Charlevoix's Alex Buday, who crossed in 17:01.

Central Lake's Jordan Becker set a series of goals going into the race, in which most were met. Becker planned on placing in the top 10 (he finished 7th in his division), keeping up with Wolverine runners (he beat eight of them) and running hard up the notorious hill (he did, crossing the finish line in 18:12).

"It's a hard course," Becker said after the race. "I felt great though, I'm happy 15th (overall)."

The field was spared a bit, with the absence of Ellsworth's Ashton Fisher. But teammate Jordan Muma stepped up to place 11th in 19:23 for the Lancers.

Bellaire's Ethan Murray ran a 22:29, placing 55th as the Eagles' only entry in the boys race. According to Bellaire coach Richard Lessard, Murray actually improved his time from a much flatter, faster course at East Jordan. Katie Odom finished in 25:25 for Bellaire in the girls race.

Alba turned out solid numbers at the event, Maria LaLone (12th, 23:55) and Beca Hoig (14th, 24:08) leading teammates to a fourth place finish ahead of Mackinaw City.

Ê Alba's men placed ninth ahead of Joburg as Wilby Gates placed 36th in 20:51 for the Wildcats.

Coming off a four-minute improvement between East Jordan and Boyne City Invitationals, Mancelona freshman R.J. Homan completed the course at Ellsworth in 25:26, trailing Ironmen lead running Ryan Biehl (21st, 20:16). Mancelona, unable to field a complete girls team this week, finished fifth in the boys large school division ahead of Boyne City.

The rain held off long enough for athletes to finish dry and the event was run smoothly by Ellsworth coach Kirk Ikens, who saw the invitational as a valuable opportunity to gain insight of what Ellsworth will be facing in the Regional meet.

One coach in particular was not satisfied with the quality of the Ellsworth Invite, however.

"I'm never coming to this race again if they don't bring doughnuts," Central Lake coach Joe Shay said to Ikens between races.