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While Ubly, a state champion team a year ago, finished in first with 160 points, Cros-Lex was next with 105 and Deckerville was third with 81.

Peggy Regan, the veteran coach with the Lady Pioneers of C-L, was happy with the performances of her athletes.

"I was real pleased. Our team, by far, had its best times of the season," said Regan, whose Lady Pioneers were making their first encounter in an invitational this season. "Being second to a State champion is not that bad. (Ubly) is amazing for a Division 4 school."

Randee Kirkpatrick, Deckerville coach, was equally as pleased. "I think we had a great showing with all the big schools that were there," said Kirkpatrick, who also has an eye on the County Meet and another venture with Cros-Lex.

"I know we can get better," she added.

The Lady Pioneers had just two first place finishes on the day, both coming from senior hurdler Laura Bombard. She won the 100 hurdles in :16.85 and fended off Deckerville freshman Shelby McVittie in the 300 hurdles with season-best time of :49.34. McVittie was clocked in a personal-best :50.19.

C-L also had a notable performance in the 800 from two runners, especially Leah O'Connor. Kylee Kubacki, Ubly's All-State distance runner, needed a late surge to nip O'Connor, a freshman. Kubacki came in at 2:26.34 while O'Connor was next at 2:26.55. Cros-Lex senior Jamie Edmunds also had a season-best with a third place time of 2:30.73, just .05 seconds ahead of Deckerville's Dana Stolicker.

The Lady Eagles made a big improvement over their previous best in the 3200 meter relay, recording a winning time of 10:09.72. The effort by McVittie, Cheyenne Sampson, Malorie Machart and Stolicker was just four seconds off the school record.