ROCK HILL -- The boys' cross country team at North Mecklenburg proved what most people already knew: When the Vikings run their entire team, they're seemingly unstoppable.

Providence Day's girls did the opposite, surprising a field of some of the area's top schools.

The end result was the same for both, as each won titles Saturday at the 16th Winthrop Invitational, which featured 19 schools from the Carolinas.

Led by a sweep of the top four places by All-American Stephen Haas (first in 15 minutes 45 second), Kalib Wilkinson (16:04), all-state Jeff Gosselin (16:10) and John Wadsworth (16:24), North Mecklenburg ran away from second place Providence, 20-111. Northwestern (116), South Aiken (121) and Fort Mill (136) rounded out the top five.

It was a performance that proved why most feel North will win the school's first cross country title since 1965, and why the Vikings are ranked 25th nationally by XCTrack.com.

"It was a good first step," North Mecklenburg coach Brad Herbster said. "We're really preparing for Great American (next Saturday at McAlpine) since there's so much of an emphasis on national rankings (at that race)."

North's fifth runner, Mike Mitchell, ran a personal best by one second (16:57) to give the Vikings five runners in the top 10.

It helped make Haas' win that much better. The senior ran the entire race alone, unlike last year when he was edged at the line by Hilton Head's David Adams in a course record 15:30.

On the girls' side, Northwestern's Angelina Blackman led from the start to win in 19:00. Nelly Anderson, a junior and former Myers Park runner competing unattached because she's being home schooled, was second in 19:16. North Mecklenburg's Amelia Slagle (19:28), East Mecklenburg's Elizabeth Rose (20:07) and South Aiken's Laura Laughlin (20:15) completed the top five.

In the team race, Providence Day used a tight pack of runners to outdistance North Mecklenburg, 60-89. Providence (108), East Mecklenburg (121) and Fort Mill (150) rounded out the top five.

"The did awesome today, didn't they?" said Providence Day coach Kate Forehand. "I was ecstatic!"

Before the race, Forehand knew she needed a strong race from Martha Ripple, the team's fifth runner, for any chance at the title.

"I knew the fifth runner was really, really crucial and that she'd have to make a move up into that top pack for us to win that trophy," Forehand said.

Ripple did, finishing 21st in 22:12 to complement strong finishes by Emily Yandle (seventh in 20:58), Kristin Andrews (eighth in 21:00), Sarah Ralston (14th in 21:39) and Emily Vasquez (15th in 21:40).