MELLEN, Wis. -- Ironwood won the girls portion of the Copper Falls Invitational in the large school division Saturday.

The three teams in the large school division were separated by only five points in the cross country event.

"Winning such a close race will give us a lot of confidence as we continue our season," Ironwood coach Bruce Beckman said. "It was a very gutty performance by our girls."

The Devils placed third in the boys race. Hayward won.

Hurley finished second in the small school girls division to Park Falls. The Mercer boys were fifth in the small school division.

In the boys race, Ironwood's Alan Peterson and Dominic Beckman once again placed first and second overall.

Kyle Hoffmeister led Mercer with a 15th place finish overall.

On the girls side, the Devils were again led by seniors Kari Strand and Lindsey Chiantello, who finished third and fourth.

The individual winner was Elizabeth Simak of Hayward with a time of 14:42.

Chanel Youngs led Hurley with a 22nd place finish. McKenna Klein was Mercer's only finisher (38th).

Ironwood travels to the Nike Holly Invitational Saturday.

Overall finishes, local teams

Ironwood girls

3. Kari Strand 15:07, 4. Lindsey Chiantello 15:22, 12. Emily Keskey 15:51, 14. Anna Marie Buchko 15:58, 31. Veronica Cannon  16:52, 37. Crystal Lakvold 17:07, 45. Ashley Geesey 19:16.

Ironwood boys

1. Alan Peterson 16:30, 2. Dominic Beckman 17:24, 19. Ryan Geesey 18:43, 44.

Sean Palmeter 20:41, 51. Tyler Kitzman 21:26, 63. Ben Moore 23:08, 69. Matt Stevens 25:18.

Mercer boys

15. Kyle Hoffmeister 18:27.4, 27. Matthew Klopatek 19:29.5, 29. Tom Fitzgerald 19:30.8, 47. Alec Boes 21:18.4, 50. Vinny Ranalo, 21:25.5,

Hurley girls

22. Chanel Youngs 16:25.3, 27. Erin Gulan, 16:42.8, 32. Erin Worzalla 16:59.9; 33. Miranda Manzanares 17:03.1, 40. Tommi Schmidtke 17:26.6, 41.

Jesse Mackey 17:38.4

Mercer girls (no team score)

38. McKenna Klein 17:15.8.