By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG cross country teams opened the 2011 season at Stewartville Thursday, Sept. 1.
No team results were available.
Sophomore T.J. Schiltz led the Panther boys, placing eighth in 14:28. Others: Jade Waltz, 61st, 17:24; Raece Johnson, 76th, 18:12; Dustin Burshem, 91st, 20:16; and Tyler Holz, 93rd, 20:40.
"It was a great effort by T.J.," said NRHEG coach Mike Weber. "Jade also did a nice job with Raece not far behind. Overall, I thought the boys did well for our first official meet of the season."
Katherine Lewer, an eighth-grader, led the NRHEG girls with a 44th-place finish, clocking 14:54. Following were Crystal Olson, 67th, 17:02; Destinee Meyer, 101st, 18:53; and Megan Conley, 114th, 19:34.
"Katherine led the girls with a very low time," said Weber. "The times are relative as it was 90 degrees with lots of sun; therefore, the varsity courses for boys and girls was shortened by half a mile. Regardless, Katherine stood out today. We were one runner short from scoring as a team today, as a couple letterwinners from last year were absent. We plan on those girls being back for the rest of the season to help fill the varsity squad."
The Panthers had a scrimmage at Fairmont Aug. 26.
Schiltz started and finished strong, placing first among sophomores and second overall with a time of 13:49. Also running for the Panther boys, and their times, were Waltz, 16:39; Johnson, 17:40; and Burshem, 19:55.
"We did not have all of our runners, but we had some good results from those who were able to go," said Weber. "T.J. was on a mission. We expect great things out of him this year."
Running for the NRHEG girls: Crystal Olson, 20:56; Shantaya Olson, 20:56; Conley, 23:56; and Meyer, 24:44.
"We were limited with our number of runners, with half the girls not able to attend," said Weber. "It will be nice getting everyone back."
The cross country teams return to action Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Montgomery-Lonsdale Invitational.
