By ELI LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG cross country teams opened the 2021 season at the Stewartville Invitational, Thursday, September 2.
“The NRHEG cross country team had a very solid outing at our first meet of the season this year,” NRHEG head Coach Miles Otstot said.
The boys finished in 16th place out of the 20 teams with 361 points.
Overall, we were very happy with how our boys performed today,” Otstot said. “This is a young team with only one senior, so to see this strong start is exciting and it will be great to see them grow as runners and as a team throughout the year.”
The panthers were led by 8th grade runners Devon Nelton and Jacob Karl. In his first ever race, Nelton finished 47th with a time of 19:43 and Karl finished just two seconds off his personal best time, finishing 53rd with a time of 19:54. Following for the Panther boys: Conner Nelson, 84th, 20:58; Gavin Sletten 88th 21:09; Samuel Christensen 89th, 21:10; Eric Arvis 106th place, 21;42.
“The boys team had a fantastic day, with 8th grader Devon Nelton leading the way,” Coach Otstot said. “It was exciting to see him do so well in his first ever race. Jacob Karl also ran a great race on his first competition of the year. Conner Nelson, Gavin Sletten, and Samuel Christensen finished very strong races. And Eric Arvis had a strong sprint to finish with a time two minutes faster than any race last year.”
A familiar face from last year led the NRHEG girls: Quinn VanMaldehgem. The 8th grader finished 19th, out of 116 runners in the varsity race with a time of 22:19.
“The girls had a few strong performances to start the year,” said Otstot. “This was a great starting place for our girls and I look forward to seeing where they can go this season.”
Following VanMaldgehgem were: Torri Vaale 21st, 23:02; Holly Bartness 85th, 26:38; Annabelle Petsinger 94th, 27:29.
“Holly Bartness had a great run in her first ever varsity race,” said Otstot. “Unfortunately we were unable to field a full squad for the girls, but we remain optimistic going forward.”
The Panthers run Oaks Golf Club on Thursday, September 9, and at Blooming Prairie on Tuesday, September 14.