The NRHEG girls’ track and field team turned in a strong performance to win the Blue Earth Area Invitational last Friday.
The Panthers totaled 73.66 points to 71 for second-place BEA. Martin County West had 60, Madelia-Truman 50.33.
“We competed in horrible conditions,” said NRHEG coach Duey Ferber. “The girls really pulled one off. We are really experimenting with our lineup yet. The big meets are right around the corner. Everyone is stepping up and going for it, and that’s the name of the game.”
Sophomore Carlie Wagner continued to step up, winning the high jump and 200 meters while running a leg on two first-place relays. Her little sister, seven-grader Marnie, won the long jump. Mikayla Lindell was first in the discus and second in the shot put.
The foursome of Abby Crabtree, Danielle Krueger, Raelin Schue and Carlie Wagner won the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
Other NRHEG places: Hailey Schuller, second, 300 hurdles, second, 100 hurdles and third, long jump; Abby Wacholz, third, triple jump and fifth, high jump; 4x400, third (Gretchen Ramaker, Maddie Wagner, Marnie Wagner, Schuller); Katharine Lewer, third, 3200 and fourth, 1600; Schue, fourth, 100; Jamie Ulrich, fourth, triple jump; Crystal Olson, fifth, 800; Katie Cole, fifth, discus; Maddie Wagner, fifth, high jump; Ramaker, fifth, 100.The NRHEG boys were fourth with 37 points. BEA won with 120.
T.J. Schiltz again swept the distances, winning the 1600 and 3200 and taking first in the high jump.
“T.J. had quite a day,” said Ferber.
Geoff Ramaker was second in the 100.
“Geoff is looking solid in the 100,” said Ferber.
Other places: 4x200, second (Nate Krause, Ramaker, Raece Johnson, Schiltz); 4x400, third (Karter Sletten, Aaron Seath, Tyler Schlaak, Krause); Todd Erickson, third, discus; Keith Maxon, fourth, discus; John Cole, fifth, 3200; Jade Waltz, fifth, triple jump.
The girls were fifth out of seven schools at Maple River April 24. BEA won with 151.5 points. The Panthers had 76.
Carlie Wagner won three events, the 100, 200 and high jump, and joined Crabtree, Danielle Krueger and Schue on the winning 4x200 relay team.
Krueger was second in the 400.
Others: Paige Bolduan, third, high jump; Wacholz, third, triple jump; Lindell, third, shot put and discus; Emmy Hobbs, fifth, pole vault; 4x100, fifth (Crabtree, Schuller, Aubrey Schlinger, Schue); Ramaker, sixth, 100; Schuller, sixth, long jump.
“Carlie had quite a night,” said Ferber. “Welcome back Mikayla Lindell! Two third places after a serious knee injury!”
The boys scored 43 points for seventh among seven schools. Maple River won with 114.5.
NRHEG places: Schiltz, second, 3200, fourth, 1600 and sixth, triple jump; Ramaker, second, 100; Ross Chester, second, long jump; Tyler Holz, third, pole vault; 4x100, fourth (Chester, Ramaker, Johnson, Waltz); 4x200, fifth (Chester, Ramaker, Johnson, Sletten); Maxon, sixth, discus.
“We had some tough competition tonight,” said Ferber. “Geoff, T.J., and Ross all had decent events tonight.”
The Panthers return to Maple River to compete Tuesday, May 8.