ALGONAC — It was the perfect moment to shine.

Throughout the season, local cross country runners have had their minds focused on being at their best for Saturday's regional meet. 

At the Division 2 meet at Algonac High School, it was easy to see who was the best among the pack.

The St. Clair boys were the overwhelming winners with 18 points, followed by Croswell-Lexington (79) and Yale (100). The Marysville girls meanwhile, won the girls regional with 72 points. They were followed by Cros-Lex (78) and Imlay City (79).

The top three schools and first 15 individual runners all qualified for next week's state finals at Michigan International Speedway.

"We had a great meet," St. Clair boys coach Jon Davidson said. "All top seven medaled in the top 15. The 18 points is a school-record low for the regional for St. Clair. Brendan (Parr) knew he had to run by himself today. 

"Running by yourself is tough but Brendan still managed to be the back-to-back regional champion." 

The regional title was the Saints' 10th in the past 11 years. But for Marysville, it was the Vikings' first in more than 25 years. 

"It's fun when a plan comes together," Marysville girls coach Steve Rogers said. "A month ago, we were here at this very same course and finished fourth on the day and today we finished first out of all of those teams that beat us.

"We are excited for these girls. We had the regional winner (Megan McCulloch), so a lot of things are going our way. We are healthy and locked in and want to do well." 

Brendan Parr was the overall winner for St. Clair (15 minutes, 47 seconds) and was followed by a couple of Saints teammates, Derek LaDuke (16:13) and Donnis Harris (16:29). 

McCulloch ran a 19:33 to win the Division 2 girls event for Marysville. Alaina Carroll of Armada was second (19:40) and Lily Connelly of Cros-Lex (19:46) was third.

At the Division 1 portion of the event, Ashley Defrain of Port Huron Northern finished sixth overall on the girls side (18:25). 

Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Joseph_Hayes11. 

Top Boys 

1. Brendan Parr, St. Clair, 15.47

2. Derek LaDuke, St. Clair, 16:13

3. Donnis Harris, St. Clair, 16:29

4. Noah Yankee, Cros-Lex, 16:30 

5. Matt Bishop, St. Clair, 16:38 

6. Matt McClelland, Yale, 16:39 

7. Jack Pennewell, St. Clair, 16:44

8. Bryson DenUyl, Marysville 16:45

9. Hunter Richards, Yale, 16:47

10. Tyge McQueen, St. Clair, 16:49

11. Dillan Shuten, Lamphere, 16:53

12. Mitchell Wilczynski, Cros-Lex, 17:02

13. Stephen Johnson, Hazel Park, 17:03

14. Noah Verlinde, Armada, 17:05

15. Daniel Lamontagne, St. Clair, 17:06

Top Girls

1. Megan McCulloch, Marysville, 19:33

2. Alaina Carroll, Armada, 19:40 

3. Lily Connelly, Croswell-Lexington, 19:46 

4. Amanda Wood, Lutheran North, 19:47

5. Jessica Denver, Imlay City, 19:52

6. Maureen Brunner, St. Clair, 20:18

7. Annaliese Lamontagne, St. Clair, 20:22  

8. Carlee Forsyth, Imlay City, 20:28

9. Kenzie Andrzejewski, 20:31, Cros-Lex 

10. Jade Kellerman, Cros-Lex, 20:34 

11. Jenna Disser, Marysville, 20:35

12. Olivia Palazzolo, St. Clair, 20:36

13. Makenzie Wassmus, Marysville, 20:38

14. Alyssa Naniewicz, Armada, 20:38.5

15. Amber Heilig, Yale, 20:42