For the second year in a row, the Munising boys cross country team has taken third place at the MHSAA U.P. Finals.

“Third place was not bad, but we were really hoping for that runner up spot,” said Head Coach Mark Kinnunen. “We knew that was a possibility for us, but we have a young team.”

Four out of Munising’s five scoring runners were freshmen, making them the youngest team in the division. Varsity races allow up to seven runners each race: five to count for scoring, a sixth in case of a tie and a seventh in case a runner is unable to finish. Only one of Munising’s runners was a senior, with Frank Carlson coming in at 49th overall.

Danny Goss led the way for Munising, finishing fourth overall with a time of 18:03.5. It was one of the few late-season races for the junior who has been battling injuries and illness this year.

Freshman Nolan Dolaskie also made the all-state team, finishing 14th overall with a time of 19:08.9. Fellow freshman Blake Laksoky finished in 17th position, 12 seconds behind 15th place and an all-state designation. Keelen Hase and John Nord finished fourth and fifth for the Mustangs in 35th and 36th position.

“With mostly freshmen making up the team and Danny coming off an injury, we knew it would be a tough fight. But they did what they could. I’m good with third place, in a tough division 2, that’s a good place.”

Painesdale-Jeffers won the MHSAA Division 2 title with a score of 48. Jet Landon Larson won the individual title with a time of 17:10.3. Rudyard finished in second with 66 points. Ironwood and Ishpeming rounded out the top five team scores.