The NRHEG cross country teams hosted the Gopher Valley Conference Meet at New Richland’s Riverview Golf Course Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Martin County West won the boys’ title with 23 points, followed by LCWM/Nicollet at 83, Mankato Loyola 85, Blooming Prairie 119, Maple River 146, WEM/JWP 156, United South Central 159, NRHEG 208, Medford 233 and Madelia-Truman 249.
Junior Tyler Schlaak, as he has all season, led the Panthers. He finished 28th in 18:45. Following for NRHEG: Zach Mely, 37th, 19:28; Josh Fleming, 42nd, 20:06; Ben Lewer, 49th, 20:38; Brenden McMann, 52nd, 21:03; Aaron Seath, 52nd, 22:53; Orin Mely, 65th, 24:47.
“Tyler has had two very good weeks of running and has gotten his times down,” said Panthers coach Mike Weber. “Zach had his best race of the year. Zach has just been getting better each week. Ben had his best meet of the year. It couldn’t have come at a better time for Ben to do this at home and for the conference. The boys had a good performance.”Martin County West took the girls’ crown with 23 points. Following: Loyola 56, LCWM/Nicolle 56, WEM/JWP 89, NRHEG 135.
Placing for the Panthers: Sandra Quezada, 18th, 17:38; Missy Malakowsky, 41st, 19:43; Katharine Lewer, 42nd, 20:00; Marissa Mortenson, 43rd, 20:26; Kristi Possin, 44th, 21:42.
“Sandra had a fabulous race, taking off a minute from her personal best this season,” said Weber. “Sandra became an all-conference honorable mention with her effort. She has put in a lot of work and deserves the recognition. Marissa had another great race to have her best time this year, as did Kristi. I would say that having the fans, friends, and families at the home conference meet really made a difference for our runners. They ran well.”
The Panthers run in the Section 2A meet Thursday, Oct. 23 at Blue Earth’s Riverside Town and Country Club.