Grand Rapids returned to the throne at the 17th annual Lions Invitational Friday night, piling up 194 points to dethrone Bemidji.
The defending champs were well in front of International Falls which finished third with 66.5. Warroad, Bagley and Thief River Falls trailed.
It was the second title for the Thunderhawks but their first since 1992. Bemidji had taken the last three titles.
In the long run, the Hawks packed too much depth for Bemidji which goes into the season without a senior returning to the squad.
Bemidji, however, showed well with coach Chris Lehman well pleased with his team's performance.
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Bemidji had wins from Jen Lovering in the 400, Stephanie Marsh in the 1600 and Kelly Frost in the pole vault.
It had seconds from Dani Paris in the 400, Abby Hendricks in the 55 hurdles Pearl Walker in the pole vault and all three relays.
Liz Judkins, Paris, Jess Lovering and Ashley Erickson combined in the 4 x 2. Erickson and Marsh ran the 4 x 4 with Jill Smith, Kelsey Heisler, Wangberg and Marsh making up the 4 x 8.
In third came Natashia Mc Griff in the 55, Jen Lovering in the 800 and Smith in the 3200.
Taking fourth were Jes Lovering in the 400 and Heisler in the 800.
In fifth were McGriff in the 200, Michaela Wagner in the 1600, Stephanie Lehmann in the pole vault and Daniels in the shot.
Walker was sixth in the hurdles and Kindem in the shot with Daniels seventh in the 200, Dacia Barrett in the 1600, Sarah Kindem in the shot and Laura Rogers in the triple jump. Leorie Driesa took eighth in the long jump.
Kristine Heppner of Warroad was named MVP after winning the long jump, taking third in the triple jump and 4 x 2 relay and eighth in the 55.
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Lindsay Mattson of Grand Rapids was the only double winner taking the 55 and 200.
Mariah Barstad of Bagley won the high jump at 4-10-.
Bemidji will enter its JV in Tuesday's Little Amik-I meet which begins at 1.
LIONS INVITATIONAL
Girls Division
Team totals: Grand Rapids 194, Bemidji 136, International Falls 66.5, Warroad 65, Bagley 45.5, Thief River Falls 32
TRACK EVCENTS
55 (7.79) 1. Mattson, GR; 2. Walrath, TRF; 3. McGriff, Bem; 4. Lytvynovd, Bag; 5. Lee, TRF
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200 (27.88) 1. Mattson, GR; 2. Walrath, TRF; 3. Heppner, Wrd; 4. Berg, Bag; 5. McGriff, Bem; 7. Daniels, Bem.
400 (1:05.26) 1. Jen. Lovering, Bem; 2. Paris, Bem; 3. DeGrio, GR; 4. Jes. Lovering, Bem; 5. Hummel, IF
800 (2:34.40) 1. Kleinendorst, GR; 2. Helmbrecht, GR; 3. Jen. Lovering, Bem; 4. Heisler, Bem; 5. Rostvold, GR
1600 (6:00.38) 1. Marsh, Bem; 2. Becker, GR; 3. Harms, IF; 4. Heitzman, GR; 5. M. Wagner, Bem; 7. Barrett, Bem.
3200 (13:00.79) 1. Rostvold, GR; 2. Christianson, IF; 3. Smith, Bem; 4. Liljegren, GR; no fifth
55 hurdles (10:14) 1. Freisner, Wrd; 2. Hendricks, Bem; 3. Rothstein, GR; 4. Peterson, GR; 5. Hoganson, GR; 6. Walker, Bem.
RELAY EVENTS
4 x 2 (1:35.80) 1.GR; 2. Bem (Judkins-Paris-Jes. Lovering-Erickson); 3. Wrd; 4. Bag; 5. IF
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4 x 4 (4:25.01) 1. GR; 2. Bem (Wangberg-Judkins-Erickson-Marsh); 3. IF; 4. Wrd; no fifth
4 x 8 (10:21.19) 1. GR; 2. Bem (Smith-Heisler-Wangberg-Marsh); 3. Wrd; 4. IF; no fifth
FIELD EVENTS
High jump (4-10) 1. Barstad, Bag; 2. Legler, GR; 3. Nelson, Wrd; 4. Rothstein, GR; 5. Larson, Wrd.
Long jump (15-7½) 1. Heppner, Wrd; 2. E Joki, GR; 3. Lytvynovd, Bag; 4. Berg, Bag; 5. B. Joki, GR; 8. Driesa, Bem.
Triple jump (33-3½) 1. B. Joki, GR; 2 E. Joki, 3. Peterson, GR; 4. Batdorf, IF; 5. Hendrickson, IF; 7. Rogers, Bem.
Pole vault (8-0) 1. Frost, Bem; 2. Walker, Bem; 3. Nevalainen, IF; 4. Boatman, GR; 5. Lehmann, Bem.
Shot put (39-10) 1. Rollins, GR; 2. Landmark, IF; 3. Cagle, GR; 4. Schue, Wrd; 5. Daniels, Bem; 6. Kindem, Bem.
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MVP: Kristine Heppner, Warroad
