NRHEG Sports (656)
The latest game results and prognostications for NRHEG.{jcomments on}
Peterson, Jongbloedt lead the way
GIVING CHASE — NRHEG running back Perry Peterson (22) tries to elude the grasp of GFW’s Mitchell Schroeder during the Panthers’ big 41-6 victory at New Richland Friday, Sept. 11. Also giving chase for the Thunderbirds: Matt Henderson (77), Rafael Herrera (86), Angelo Metzger (28) and Brady Roiger (14). (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Some folks expected a lop-sided result as the NRHEG High School football team hosted winless Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop.
They got it.
The Panthers, fresh off a 13-7 loss to unbeaten WEM, scored early and often and cruised to an easy 41-6 triumph at New Richland Friday, Sept. 11.
“We came out of the gate strong,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork, whose team improved to 3-1.
The Panthers needed only 12 plays to build a 21-0 first-quarter advantage, getting two touchdown runs by junior Jason Jongbloedt and one from sophomore Perry Peterson. Palmer Peterson threw a five-yard touchdown pass to John Cole to make it 28-0 at halftime.
The NRHEG volleyball team opened Gopher Valley Conference play Thursday, Sept. 10 with a 3-0 victory over Maple River at Mapleton. The Panthers won 25-10, 25-19, 25-21.
“We hit well across the board, lots of girls getting really great swings,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson. “They worked extremely hard, playing well together. This group really cares about their teammates. They are more worried about getting the ‘W’ for the night rather than their own stats.”
The win improved the Panthers to 3-1 overall.
The NRHEG High School cross country teams traveled to Montgomery for the annual Redbird Invitational Thursday, Sept. 10.
The boys totaled 715 points for last place out of 25 schools. Waseca won with 106. New Prague was second at 122.
Panther times and places: Tyler Schlaak, 124th, 20:28.4; Zach Mely, 127th, 20:37.4; Ben Lewer, 137th, 21:03.6; Aaron Fleming, 163rd, 24:20.2; Jorey Fischer, 164th, 24:38.5; Orin Mely, 165th, 25:43; Aaron Seath, 170th, 28:03.5.
“Zach ran very well,” said NRHEG coach Mike Weber. “Ben took a couple minutes off his time from last year. He gives a great effort each week. The boys gave a great effort this evening.”
The girls did not have a full team. Running were Jade Mely, 25:16; Mia Williams, 25:58; and Katharine Lewer, 26:47.
The Panthers run Thursday, Sept. 17 at Mapleton and host the Panther Invitational Tuesday, Sept. 22.
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
NRHEG High School athletes will not just be playing football or volleyball or running cross country races this fall.
Some of them will be shooting.
This fall marks the fourth season for the clay target team, which will be signing up players through Friday, Sept. 11.
“We expect between 30 and 40 students to participate this season from NRHEG, Albert Lea and Waseca,” said coach Dan Sorum.
The team lost several talented individuals to graduation, according to Sorum, including top shooter Frank Altrichter, who was one of the conference’s top shooters in both the spring and fall seasons.
But that doesn’t mean Sorum isn’t optimistic.
NOWHERE TO THROW — NRHEG’s Karter Sletten sacks WEM quarterback Kallen Dorenkemper Friday, Sept. 4 at Waterville. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG Panthers were decided underdogs heading into last Friday’s game at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, ranked No. 5 in in the state.
When the dust finally settled on a sweltering early September night, the Bucs managed a win. Barely.
Outgained and outplayed most of the night, WEM scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown and held off the Panthers, 13-7.
“We made far too many mistakes against a good WEM team,” said Panthers coach Dan Stork, whose squad fell to 2-1.
Included in the mistakes were two lost fumbles, an interception and eight penalties for 90 yards. They seemed to come at inopportune times for the Panthers.
“At times we looked in control,” said Stork. “But the penalties and turnovers were the difference.”
STRONG START — Abby Wacholz smacks a spike during the season opener for the NRHEG volleyball team. The Panthers were on the road twice last week, winning two of three to start the year. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
For a while, it looked as if the NRHEG volleyball team might be off to a 3-0 start.
But things changed quickly and they didn’t get any better.
The Panthers, who started last week with a 3-1 at Nicollet, won game one 25-20 at Kenyon Thursday night but dropped the next three 25-10, 25-12, 25-15.
“We started out aggressive in game one,” said Panthers coach Onika Peterson. “We took advantage of their errors and were able to make some runs. Kenyon battled back. They really made our defense work in games 2-4. They did a nice job switching up their hits, and adjusting to what are defense was giving them.
The NRHEG cross country teams braved hot conditions for the Stewartville Invitational Thursday, Sept. 3.
The boys finished 15th among 16 schools with 389 points. Rochester Area Home School won with 64 and Ottertail Central was second with 69.
Senior Tyler Schlaak led the Panthers, finishing 62nd with a time of 12:41. Following for the Panthers were Ben Lewer, 85th, 13:21; Zach Mely, 86th, 13:22; Aaron Fleming, 107th, 14:32; Jorey Fischer, 116th, 14:32; Orin Mely, 119th, 16:24; and Aaron Seath, 126th, 17:15.
“Tyler led the boys, placing in the upper half of this big meet,” said NRHEG coach Mike Weber. “It was extremely muggy, but all the varsity athletes gave a good effort. Ben continues to run well. He continues to impress. Zach was right behind Ben with another good race. Aaron got his first varsity run and did very well. Rounding out the scoring was Jorey Fischer. As a first-year cross country runner, I think Jorey has been doing everything we have asked and he has been giving a great effort this early season.”
The games were close, but the NRHEG Panthers won them all.
NRHEG swept Alden-Conger in the 2015 volleyball season opener last Thursday, winning 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 at New Richland.
“The team fought hard in all three games, never giving up, playing as a team, with a lot of heart, hustle and intensity,” said NRHEG coach Onika Peterson. “For our first game of the year, I was very happy with what I saw. We had a great team effort with a lot of players stepping up.”
Peterson said the statistics are not completely accurate, with the process a learning experience for the younger athletes assigned to the task, but here’s what she had:
Maddie Wagner 3 kills, 1 ace block, 23 digs; Marnie Wagner 7 kills, 1 ace block, 24 digs, 1 ace; Abby Wacholz 7 kills, 6 ace blocks, 12 digs; Anna Lundberg 2 kills, 7 digs, 16 assists, 1 ace; Gretchen Ramaker 3 kills, 1 ace block, 1 dig; Hailey Schuller 3 kills, 4 ace blocks, 2 digs; Sophia Fischer 4 kills, 9 digs, 1 ace; Rachel Collins, 8 digs, 13 assists; Abby Christopherson 13 digs; Corrie Powell 15 digs.
The Panthers travel to Nicollet Sept. 1 and to Kenyon-Wanamingo Sept. 10.
The NRHEG boys’ cross country team opened the season at the Early Bird Invitational at Fairmont Friday, Aug. 28.
The meet had a different format in that each grade ran a separate race.
Josh Fleming led the Panthers, finishing third in 15:21 on a 2.5-mile course. Tyler Schlaak was ninth in 15:99; Ben Lewer 14th, 17:03 Zach Mely, 16th, 17:15; Braden Routh, 26th, 18:49; Aaron Fleming, 28th, 19:21; Jorey Fischer, 26th, 19:42.
Fairmont won the boys’ team title with 21 points. The Panthers were 10th among 14 schools with 68.
“Josh really gave the race top effort,” said Panthers coach Mike Weber. “For the 11th grade, Josh was a medal winner for third place. Tyler also had a good showing and a decent time to be our runner-up. Ben has really improved from last year and looked solid on the course. Zach was right behind Ben with a good finish. Our final point getter for our varsity runners was Braden in his first race for the Panthers.”
NRHEG did not have any girls’ varsity runners in the meet.
The Panthers run Thursday, Sept. 3 at Stewartville.
NRHEG football team improves to 2-0
Senior John Cole races down the sideline and gives NRHEG High School football fans something to cheer during the Panthers' home opener Friday night at New Richland. Cole and his teammates had a big game, defeating Lester Prairie-Holy Trinity 34-6 while improving their record to 2-0. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG High School football team is exactly where it hoped to be after two weeks of the season.
But the real test comes this week.
The Panthers will take a 2-0 record north to face Waterville-Elysian-Morristown on the heels of a 34-6 triumph over Lester Prairie-Holy Trinity in their home opener at New Richland Friday, Aug. 28.
The Panthers were dominant in all phases, netting 357 total yards while holding the Bulldogs to 125, including 18 rushing.
“We came out and played mistake-free football,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork, whose squad had zero turnovers and only one penalty.
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SMELLING THE GOAL LINE — John Cole breaks tackles and heads for the end zone on his way to a 25-yard touchdown reception Saturday at Mayer Lutheran. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Forgive the players if the season football opener looked more like a scrimmage than a game.
The season started a week early.
Because of scheduling conflicts for the state playoffs, the NRHEG Panthers opened the 2015 campaign Saturday and survived a sloppy game against an unfamiliar opponent, winning 14-7 at Mayer Lutheran, which is west of the Twin Cities.
“We played as expected after only two weeks of practice,” said NRHEG head coach Dan Stork.
But the bottom line was the win, and the Panthers were pleased in their first season of district play. The Panthers hope for an easier time this Friday when they host Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity.
Off-and-on rain did not help matters Saturday as the teams combined for seven turnovers, five by the Crusaders.
Panthers win early opener at Mayer Lutheran
NRHEG High School football captains Trey Hoppe (44), Wyatt Fitterer (71), Zeke Erickson (69) and Palmer Peterson (7) make the walk to midfield for the coin toss of the 2015 season opener at Mayer Lutheran Saturday afternoon. The Panthers prevailed, 14-7. See the Aug. 27 edition of the Star Eagle for the Fall Sports Preview. (Star Eagle photo by Nikki Erickson)
Fitterer, Peterson qualify for national wrestling tourney
Written by Jim Lutgens
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS — Cordell Peterson, left, and Wyatt Fitterer will compete in the Asics/Vaughan Greco-Roman National Tournament in Fargo, N.D. July 20-21. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
By now, most high school wrestlers have long ago hung up their singlets and shoes for the season, forgetting the long hours of sweat and blood left on mats mostly found far from the spotlight.
Wyatt Fitterer and Cordell Pederson are not like most high school wrestlers.
The NRHEG students have continued to wrestle since shortly after the high school season ended in March, qualifying in May for USA Wrestling nationals in both team and individual competition as part of the Lakeville Freestyle/Greco-Roman Wrestling Club.
Fitterer and Pederson, seniors at NRHEG High School this fall, are no strangers to big time wrestling, with four state tournament appearances and an international trip to Australia and New Zealand between them. Pederson has been to three consecutive state tournaments. Fitterer, a state qualifier as a freshmen, did not make it as a sophomore and had his junior season cut short by injury.
The New Richland Jazz American Legion baseball team snapped a four-game skid by sweeping a doubleheader at Hayfield Saturday, June 27. The locals were coming off a 10-0, five-inning shutout loss at Rochester Lourdes. The Jazz improved its record to 3-4.
Rochester Lourdes 10, Jazz 0
The Jazz could not contain a Lourdes team that reached the state high school semifinals this spring.
John Hubly and Eli Lutgens had the lone hits for Post 75.
Dempsey Tucker started on the mound and took the loss. Lutgens and Sam Prigge pitched in relief. The Jazz had three errors.