By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Much like their predecessors from New Richland-Hartland back in the late 1970s, the NRHEG track and field boys didn’t just win. They dominated.
The Panthers pummeled the opposition in last week’s Gopher Conference meet at Blooming Prairie, compiling 181 points to 102 for second-place Medford. WEM followed with 94.5, Blooming Prairie had 91, Maple River 90, USC/AC 58, Hayfield 52.5 and Bethlehem Academy 29.
It was the second straight conference crown for the Panthers, who last year ended a four-decade drought of local boys taking the first-place trophy.
“It was an absolutely awesome job by our boys,” said NRHEG coach Duey Ferber. “These guys came out and performed tonight. I am so extremely proud to be their coach.”
The Panthers made Ferber proud by winning seven events and taking second in five more.
Brady Agrimson claimed three firsts, winning the 110-meter high hurdles in 15.25 seconds, the 300 intermediates in 41.24 and the high jump at 6 feet.
Daniel Nydegger was a double winner, taking the 800 in 2:06.32 and the 1600 in 4:59.54.
Lonnie Wilson won the long jump at 19-3.5.
Mason Ferber, Jacob Schuller, Agro Gushwa and Teddy Gushwa combined to win the 4x400 relay in 3:37.47.
The first-place finishers earned all-conference honors.
Taking second were Ferber, 300 hurdles, 42.87; Wilson, 400, 53.43; Alex Buckmeier, discus, 128-4 and shot put, 44-0; Agro Gushwa, high jump, 5-10.
Agrimson ran the 100 for the first time this season and took third in 11.78.
Other NRHEG places: Ferber, third, 110 hurdles; Wilson, third, 200 and fifth, 100; Teddy Gushwa, third, 400; Caden Riewer, third, 1600 and seventh, 800; Schuller, third, high jump and fifth, 200; 4x200, third (Charlie Nissen, Gushwa, Gushwa, Schuller); Conner Nelson, fourth, 3200; 4x100, fifth (Nissen, Porter Peterson, Matthew Mueller, Max Seltun); 4x800, fifth (Eric Arvis, Jaxon Beck, Ralph Roesler, Nik Petsinger); Gavin Anderson, eighth, 3200.
The Panthers go to Fairmont for the sub-section meet May 23.