The NRHEG High School cross country teams competed in the Maple River Invitational Thursday, Sept. 11.
The boys, led by Tyler Schlaak and Josh Fleming, finished eighth among 10 schools while the girls, again led by Katharine Lewer, are still looking to put together a full five-runner squad.
Schlaak just missed his season best time, clocking 19:56 for 19th place, and Fleming was right behind in 21st with a time of 19:57. Following for NRHEG were Zach Mely, 40th, 20:58; Brenden McMann, 46h, 21:16; Ben Lewer, 48th, 21:40; and Aaron Seath, 61st, 25:03.
“Tyler almost ran his best of the season. He made the awards podium,” said coach Mike Weber. “Josh was able to run his best of the season, but he was half of a second away from getting an award. Although he had a good race, I had hoped that he could have joined Tyler in getting an award. Zach lowered his time by two and a half minutes, as did Ben. Both had a great meet. Brenden took a minute off his best of the season, as did Aaron. The boys had a meet where they could be proud of what they accomplished and how everyone improved.”Sibley East won the boys’ team title with 68 points. Blue Earth Area was second with 71, Maple River third with 80, USC fourth at 101. The Panthers had 170 points.
Katharine Lewer, a junior, led the girls with a 24th-place finish in 19:24, followed by Rayna Crosson, 26th, 19:36; Sandra Quezada, 28th, 19:47; and Marissa Mortenson, 40th, 23:12.
The WEM/JWP team won with 44 points. Minnesota Valley Lutheran had 55, Blue Earth Area 63. NRHEG was one of five schools without a full squad, something the Panthers aim to change in their only home meet of the season Thursday, Sept. 18 at Riverview Golf Course.
“Katharine is lowering her times and continues to be our number one runner,” said coach Lori Tomsche. “Rayna was a nice surprise this meet. Sandra is also lowering her times. I really enjoy the meets were the girls run in bunches and push one another to lowering their times. Marissa was 20 seconds from her best, but she has been running through some foot problems. The team is looking forward to a full varsity squad for our home meet scheduled for the 18th of September.