HOME SWEET HOME — Running in their only home meet of the season for the NRHEG cross country teams last week were Raece Johnson, top, and Missy Malakowsky. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
NEW RICHLAND – Coach Mike Weber’s New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys and girls cross country teams held their annual Panther Invitational at Riverview Golf Course Sept. 18. It is the only home meet of the season for the Panthers.
The NRHEG boys were able to field a complete squad for the first time this fall, finishing sixth among seven teams.
The Panthers have a 1-40 overall record this year.
The Panthers girls placed sixth among six complete teams in the race.
NRHEG is 8-34 overall this fall.Boys
The Panther boys were able to field their first complete team this season and scored 126 points to place sixth in the field. NRHEG also finished sixth in last year’s race.
Mankato Loyola and Maple River tied for the top spot with 45 points apiece, but the Crusaders won it because their No. 6 runner bested MR’s sixth man.
Cade Ekstrom of Madelia/Truman and NRHEG’s T.J. Schiltz continued another one of their good battles this season. Ekstrom topped the 46-runner field to win the 5,000-meter race in 15:52, one second ahead of Schiltz.
“T.J. was a lean away from taking first, but getting under 16 minutes was outstanding,” said Weber. “He had a great race and it was exciting for the hometown fans to watch him.”
Raece Johnson placed 32nd and Adam Anderson 35th for the Panthers. Johnson finished in 20:15 and Anderson in 20:34.
“Raece and Adam both ran their best races of the season,” said Weber.
Completing the NRHEG team was Dustin Burshem and Jared Schendel. Burshem finished 41st in 21:56 and Schendel was 46th in 25:01.
“Both of these guys ran better than I had anticipated,” said Weber.
Girls
The NRHEG girls totaled 108 points to place sixth among six teams. The Panthers were fifth a year ago.
Mankato Loyola had an easy time capturing the championship with 28 points, half the total of runner-up WEM/JWP.
WEM/JWP’s Tierney Winter ran a 15:50 over 4,000-meters to top 44 other runners. She finished 20 seconds in front of her closest competitor.
Katharine Lewer continued to set the pace for the NRHEG squad. She placed 12th in the race in 17:43.
“Katharine continues to lower her time each meet,” said Weber. “She was hoping for a top-10 finish but was a couple of places away.”
Missy Malakowsy was a solid number two runner for the Panthers, finishing 20th in 18:27.
“I thought this was Missy’s best meet of the year,” said Weber.
Crystal Olson placed 31st in 19:59 and Sandra Quezada was 33rd in 20:33 as the three and four runners for NRHEG.
“Crystal has been taking chunks of time off and ran a solid race,” said Weber. “Sandra ran with enthusiasm and really improved this week.”
Taya Olson rounded out the NRHEG scoring. She dropped nearly two minutes off her time.
Tina Quezada and Kristy Possin rounded out the Panther varsity, placing 40th and 41st, respectively.
NRHEG will travel to Prairie Ridge Golf Course in Janesville for its next action this afternoon.
Panther Invitational
(B) Team scores: 1)-Mankato Loyola 45, 2)-Maple River 45, 3)-Madelia/Truman 70, 4)-Medford 93, 5)-Blooming Prairie 96, 6)-NRHEG 126, 7)-Lyle/Pacelli 155, 8)-WEM/JWP incp.
Winner (5000-meters, 46 runners) – Cade Ekstrom (M/T) 15:52.
NRHEG: 2)-Schiltz 15:53, 32)-Johnson 20:15, 35)-Anderson 20:34, 41)-Burshem 21:56, 46)-Schendel 25:01.
(G) Team scores: 1)-Mankato Loyola 28, 2)-WEM/JWP 57, 3)-Blooming Prairie 82, 4)-Maple River 94, 5)-Madelia/Truman 96, 6)-NRHEG 109, 7)-Medford & Lyle/Pacelli incp.
Winner (4000-meters, 45 runners) – Tierney Winter (WEM/JWP) 15:50.
NRHEG: 12)-Lewer 17:43, 20)-Malakowsky 18:27, 31)-C. Olson 19:59, 33)-S. Quezada 20:33, 36)-S. Olson 21:35, 40)-T. Quezada 22:42, 41)-Possin 22:58.
NEXT: Today-NRHEG at Janesville, 4:30 p.m.