NRHEG girls’ track and field coach Duey Ferber knew of the brutal competition in Sub-Section 5A.
Last Thursday, he saw it first-hand.
The Panthers recorded several personal-best performances but finished fifth out of seven schools, advancing five individuals to section in six events.
“It was a great night to compete with many of the toughest teams in Southern Minnesota,” said Ferber.
Team scores: Fairmont 203, Blue Earth Area 167, Martin County West 132, Madelia/Truman 96, NRHEG 86, Maple River 77, USC/AC 66.
Maddie Wagner was the Panthers’ lone champion, winning the high jump at 5-0. She also advanced to section in the long jump, placing fourth at 15.4.75.
Wagner’s twin sister Marnie, meanwhile, clocked 27.91 seconds for second place in the 200.
The Wagner sisters combined with Hailey Schuller and Caitlin Goette for second in the 4x200 in 1:51.8.
Also advancing to section were third-place finishers Schuller, who clocked 17.07 in the 100 hurdles, and Sophia Fischer, who tossed the shot 38-3.
Other NRHEG places: Olivia Christopherson, fifth, 300 hurdles, 52.81 and eighth, high jump, 4-6; Kelly Harden, fifth, pole vault, 8-0 and seventh, 800, 2:36.53; 4x100 relay, fifth, 56.11 (Christopherson, Sydney Schlinger, Erin VanWilgen, Lilly Strom-Olsen); Emily Prigge, sixth, 3200, 14:10.53; Schuller, sixth, 300 hurdles, 52.95; Fischer, sixth, discus, 92-10; Jade Mely, seventh, 14:16.68; 4x400, seventh, 4:51.43 (Harden, VanWilgen, Hailey Westrum, Katie Cliff); 4x800, seventh, 12:17.36 (Madisyn Bueltel, Mia Williams, Nicole Frechette, Micaela Vaale); Emily Eder, seventh, discus, 92-0; Marnie Wagner, eighth, high jump, 4-6.
The Section 2A meet is Saturday at Mankato West High School.