Boys
Tri-City United and Mankato Loyola battled for first place at Tuesday’s Panther Invite, but NRHEG held off conference rivals Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton and Blooming Prairie for third place.
TCU finished with 39 points, four fewer than second-place Loyola.
The Panthers finished third with 86 points, holding off WEM/JWP (93) and BP (106).
Schiltz covered the Riverview course in 16:13 to top the field.
“TCU and Loyola had some great runners,” said Weber. “TJ worked his time down and was impressive as the meet champion.”
Raece Johnson and Adam Anderson continued their battle to be NRHEG’s number two runner. Johnson’s 18:38 edged Anderson by one second. Johnson placed 16th and Anderson 17th in the race.
“Raece and Adam both had their best meets this season,” said Weber.
Josh Fleming held down the fourth spot for the Panthers, finishing 26th in 19:37.
C.J. Schiltz edged Zach Mely for the final score that counted in the team score. Schiltz ran a 21:00 for the 39th position and Mely was in 40th place, five seconds behind Schiltz.
Aaron Seath also ran with the varsity, placing 51st in 23:24.
“Our last three runners all had their best times of the year,” said Weber. “This meet was about as good as it gets for us. It rarely happens that everyone runs well on the same day.”
Girls
NRHEG finally had everyone in the lineup and was able to compete in the team standings.
WEM/JWP scored 58 points to earn the win, 10 points ahead of second-place Loyola.
The Panthers ended up in eighth place with 145 points, just two points behind seventh-place Madelia/Truman.
Katharine Lewer led NRHEG as always, placing 16th in the race with a season-best 18:06.
“Katharine really gives us a good effort every week,” said Weber.
Sandra Quezada continued to narrow the gap between her and Lewer. She placed 21st in 18:40.
Missy Malakowsky was NRHEG’s third runner, running a 19:49 to finish 34th.
Tina Quezada and Kristy Possin were the fourth and fifth Panther runners. Quezada was 48th in 22:03, followed by Possin in 49th in 22:32.
Marissa Mortenson rounded out the varsity runners with a 22:37, capturing the 50th position.
“Kristy and Marissa have vastly improved their times,” said Weber.
The Panthers will be running at Prairie Ridge Golf Course in Janesville today.
NRHEG will run at Waseca on Oct. 3.
Panther Invite
Team scores (B): 1)-TC United 39, 2)-Mankato Loyola 43, 3)-NRHEG 86, 4)-WEM/JWP 93, 5)-Blooming Prairie 106, 6)-Maple River 122, 7)-Medford 150, 8)-Madelia/Truman 181. (G): 1)-WEM/JWP 58, 2)-Mankato Loyola 68, 3)-TC United 83, 4)-Lyle/Pacelli 89, 5)-Maple River 104, 6)-Blooming Prairie 130, 7)-Madelia/Truman 143, 8)-NRHEG 145.
NEXT: Today – (M/W) NRHEG at Janesville, 4:30 p.m.
