Ishpeming Sweeps UPD2 boys titles

By John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com

October 25, 2020

Ishpeming’s boys continued their winning ways Saturday, earning their third consecutive Upper Peninsula Division 2 cross country championship with 17 points at George Young Recreational Complex.

The Hematites, who won for the sixth time in seven years, were followed by Painesdale Jeffers with 57 points and Bessemer Gogebic with 98.

Ishpeming grabbed five of the top six spots, led by senior Silas Broberg, who retained his title on the snow-covered 3.1-mile course in 20 minutes, 24.8 seconds, nearly three minutes slower than last year’s winning time amid the wintery conditions.

He was followed by classmates Jordan Longtine (20:59.6) and Joseph King (21:03.8), Jeffers sophomore Tavin Larson (21:18.7) and Ishpeming senior David Liimatta (21:23.2).

Broberg was the fourth Ishpeming runner in five seasons to win the Division 2 race, and second straight from his family. Silas' older brother Jonah won the 2019 Final, where Silas finished 11th. 

Click for full results.

PHOTOS: (Top) Ishpeming’s Silas Broberg leads the pack during the Upper Peninsula Division 2 Final at George Young Recreational Complex. (Below) The Hematites claimed their third straight team championships. (Photos by Theresa Proudfit.)

Kilpela Farm Provides 'Perfect' Setting for 20 years of Jeffers Invitationals

By John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com

September 9, 2022

ATLANTIC MINE — Imagine being able to host a cross country invitational on your own property.

That’s what Painesdale Jeffers High School head coach Sam Kilpela does every year in late August.

The Jeffers Invitational has been held annually on the Kilpela farm property since 2003.

“My grandparents lived here,” he said. “This farm has been part of the Kilpela family for many years (since the 1890s) and many of their daughters were part of the program. We moved here in 2015, and now it’s up to us to keep the tradition going.

“People ask, ‘You mean you have a cross country course at your farm?’ We have a lot of property, about 40 acres. The starting line is in our front yard, and the finish line is in our back yard. It’s real convenient. We don’t have to drive anywhere to get what we need. We have everything we need right here.”

The course also has received many rave reviews, including a few after the most recent Jeffers Invite which drew 11 schools Aug. 31.

“It’s a beautiful course,” Hancock coach Jen Smith said after the Dale Phillips Invitational in Marquette the next day. “It has that old country feel to it, which makes you feel right at home. It makes you feel real comfortable. We decided to do races back-to-back days because the kids enjoy running on both courses. We didn’t want to miss either meet.”

Dollar Bay junior Amos Norlin, who won the 3.1-mile race at Atlantic Mine in 17 minutes, 50 seconds, had similar thoughts.

“This is one of my favorite courses,” he said. “This is better than running on a golf course. I find I need to look back when we race on a golf course. You’re more hidden here. Only, the downhills and sharp turns tend to bother my ankles.”

Watersmeet senior William Snow, who placed third (18:28), also enjoyed the course.

“I love the tall grass and the ground is nice and soft,” he added. “There’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s perfect for running. I wish I could train on this course. I’m going to miss it.”

The Jeffers boys put a little icing on the cake by winning their invitational for the first time in 13 years with 44 points. Ironwood was runner-up at 58.

“It has been many years,” said Kilpela, who has been coaching for seven. “The kids have been working hard. It’s really good to see their hard work pay off. I’m especially happy for our senior Tavin Larson because he finally got his first win on his home course. We have only five guys on varsity, but they’ve been strong.”

Calumet edged Hancock 55-61 for the girls championship.

John Vrancic has covered high school sports in the Upper Peninsula since joining the Escanaba Daily Press staff in 1985. He is known most prominently across the peninsula for his extensive coverage of cross country and track & field that frequently appears in newspapers from the Wisconsin border to Lake Huron. He received the James Trethewey Award for Distinguished Service in 2015 from the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

PHOTO The Painesdale Jeffers boys cross country team shows off its hardware after winning its invitational at the Kilpela farm Aug. 31. (Photo courtesy of Adams Township schools.)