IMPORTANT POINTS — The Panthers’ Ashley Garretson clears a hurdle on her way to a sixth-place finish at Waseca. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls' track and field had a busy and productive opening week outdoors, taking second in their own Panther Invitational last Tuesday and placing third at Waseca Friday.
Albert Lea won the Panther Invite with 168.5 points. The Panthers had 142.5, followed by Medford with 82.5, JWO 52.5, WEM 52, Maple River 50 and LeCenter/Cleveland 3.
The Panthers clamed six firsts, four by freshman sensation Carlie Wagner. She won the 100 meters (13.3 seconds), the 200 (26.8), the 400 (61.2) and the high jump (5-4).
"Carlie had another great meet," said NRHEG coach Duey Ferber.
Also taking first for the Panthers were Amber Schmit, shot put (32-1/3) and Danielle Krueger, 800 (2:26.9). Krueger, a junior, was second in the 400 in 63.5.
Other NRHEG places: Anna Schlaak, second, 100 hurdles and third, high jump; Jill Kalis, second, discus; Kaylee Maxon, second, shot put and fifth, discus; Katie Cole, third, long jump; Katherine Lewer, third, 3200; 4x200 relay, third (Raelin Schue, Samantha Hogstad, Krueger, Schlaak); Mikayla Lindell, fourth, discus and fifth, shot put; Abby Crabtree, fourth, 800; Schue, fifth, 100; 4x800, fifth (Shantaya Olson, Emily Habeck, Lewer, Lindsey Schulz); 4x400, fifth (Habeck, Hailey Schuller, Abby Wacholz, Jamie Ulrich); Paige Bolduan, sixth, high jump.
"The girls performed well, keeping pace with Albert Lea," said Ferber. "Our throwers scored very well tonight. Schmit, Kalis, Lindell and Maxon are doing a wonderful job for us."
Waseca won its meet Friday with 145 points, followed by St. Paul Highland Park with 111, NRHEG 83, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 74, Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial 39.5, New Ulm 32 and WEM 7.5
Winning for the Panthers was, of course, Wagner, clearing 5-2 in the high jump and clocking 61.7 in the 400 while battling painful shin splints. She was second in the long jump in her first try at the event and third in the 200.
Kalis won the discus with a toss of 106-11.
Other places: Maxon, third, shot put and sixth, discus; Lindell, third, discus; Krueger, fourth, 100; Schmit, fourth, shot put and fifth, discus; 4x200, fourth (Schuller, Krueger, Taylor Tieskotter, Schue); 4x400, fourth (Tieskotter, Schuller, Wacholz, Ulrich); 4x100, fifth (Crabtree, Hogstad, Bolduan, Schue); Shantaya Olson, fifth, 3200; Ashley Garretson, sixth, 100 hurdles; Crystal Olson, sixth, 3200.
"Waseca runs an unlimited entry meet which gives all our kids a chance to compete," said Ferber. "It really gives us a chance to see what everyone can do."
The Panthers hosted the Panther Relays Tuesday. They’re at United South Central Tuesday, April 19.
