The NRHEG cross country teams traveled to Janesville for a 4800-meter trial Thursday, Sept. 29.
Blue Earth Area’s boys topped the field with 34 points. WEM/JWP scored 35, NRHEG 60.
For the Panthers: Ben Lewer, fourth, 18:42; Josh Fleming, fifth, 18:48; Kollin Reese, 15th, Jager Beck, 17th, 22:35; Orin Mely, 18th, 25:32.
“Ben had a great race,” said coach Mike Weber. “Ben and Josh have been putting in solid practices and you can see their efforts paying off on the course. It was nice seeing both in the top five. Kollin continues to run well and keeps lowering his times. Jager and Orin also made the top 20. The team score doesn’t necessarily reflect the nice job they did tonight. The boys ran well overall.”
Jade Mely finished fifth overall in 22:31 to lead the NRHEG girls, who added another runner to their crew, sophomore Madisyn Bueltel. She placed 12th in 24:15. Also: Destiny Medrano, 14th, 25:42; Mia Williams, 17th, 26:47.
WEM/JWP won with 26 points. BEA had 30.
“Jade had a great race to place in the top five,” said Weber. “She is getting better as the season progresses. Madisyn was impressive in her run. We believe she could drop lots of time as she gets used to running varsity races. We are looking forward to what she can accomplish from here on out. Destiny ran an excellent race. She is on her PR pace now, and we believe she will come in under her PR time a couple times yet before season’s end. Mia also broke into the top 20. It was a good performance by the girls.”