CALUMET — The Lake Linden boys and girls track and field team have claimed their stake as the team to beat this season. On Tuesday, they dominated the Bulldog Invitational at Hancock High School, and on Thursday, they did it again at the Houghton County Invitational held at Calumet High School.

It was an historic win for the boys, as it was their first-ever win at the Houghton County Invitational. They won with a score of 184 – outpacing second place Houghton by 34 points (150). Calumet boys came in third at 73.

According to Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Athletic Director, Jack Kumpula, the last time the Lakes girls’ team had won this one was in 2016. They posted a first-place score of 140. Houghton came in second with 127, and Calumet tallied a third-place score of 94.

Lakes track and field coach Brett Gervais credits good, old-fashioned, hard work for the team’s success this year – particularly with the boys.

“Our boys have done a nice job of staying with it in the weight room year round,” he said. “As well, they push one another to be better every chance they get.”

He added that the boys at Lake Linden are having a great year of success in each sports’ season, and it is something that he as a coach is happy to see.

“This group of boys has had a great year in all of their sports,” said Gervais. “So it is cool to see them finishing the year strong.”

Leading the Lakes boys this spring is senior Matthew Jokela. On Thursday, he placed first in the boys 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes.

“Matthew is one of kids who has really taken his offseason training to the next level to build his speed and lower-body power,” said his coach. “He was one of the few athletes (here) who was chomping at the bit to run the week after basketball season ended. His dedication and work ethic are paying off.”

In second place were the Houghton team. The Gremlins boys’ team were five seniors short at Thursday’s meet due to a physics trip. However, coach Eric Johnson was not complaining.

“Their absence allowed others to step up and perform,” he said. “We have a lot of young talent that is figuring out how to manage a full high school track season. Today Daniel Xie really stepped up winning the 110 hurdles and placing third in the 300 hurdles and long jump. He hadn’t run the 300 hurdles this season and it was really impressive for his first go of it.”

He added that he is quite pleased with his distance runners.

“Distance has been a powerhouse for us again this year with Luke Hill leading the charge. He threw down a really impressive 800 meter today, and I’m excited to see what he can do in regionals next week.”

Coming in third for both the boys and the girls were the Calumet Copper Kings. Boys’ coach Arnie Kinnunen was pleased with his team’s performance.

“I have to mention Brayden Krans who really stood out for us today,” said Kinnunen. “He is a junior, and this is his first time doing track and field since middle school. He won the long jump and had a second-place finish in the 200-meter and a third-place finish in the 100-meter dashes.”

He added the girls are right there with the boys in the hard-work department.

Among them is Caitlyn Strom who won first place in the pole vault with 9-feet, 6-inches and the 100-meter dash.

Add to that she set a school record in the long jump and was on a winning relay team.

“She works hard and it paid off today,” said her coach. “She had an amazing day.”

Editor’s note: Results from this event will be listed in Monday’s paper.