Nydegger wins 300 hurdles, breaking school record held by her coach
By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
When it comes time for the sub section meet, NRHEG track and field coach Duey Ferber does not concern himself with team scores. His goal is to advance as many athletes as possible to the section level.
In that regard, the Section 2A South Subsection meet at Mapleton was a huge success for the NRHEG girls, who qualified 13 individuals for section while placing second among 13 schools.
"It was a fantastic day for the girls," said Ferber.
The biggest highlight for the Panthers was the 300meter inter mediate hurdles, where Evelyn Nydegger placed first in 47.69 seconds, breaking a longtime school record.
"Evelyn broke the record of Kim Johnson, her hurdle coach, who set
the previous mark in 1998," said Ferber. "I don't know who was hap pier, Evelyn or Kim. It was amazing!"
Nydegger also advanced to section in the 110 high hurdles, where placed second in 17.31. Chloe Riewer was second in the long jump at 147.5 while Lauren Cowell was second in the discus at 10111.
Also qualifying for section: Quinn VanMaldeghem, 3rd, 1600 and 3rd, 800; Malonna Wilson, 3rd, shot put and 8th, discus; Strom, 8th, triple jump; 4x100 relay, 3rd (Josie Strom, Holly Bartness, Riewer, Paige Johnson; 4x400, 3rd (Keira Lenort, Nydegger, Sierra Misgen, VanMaldeghem; Kyra Spies, 5th, 200; Misgen, 6th, long jump; Cowell, 8th, discus; Anika Ladlie, 8th, high jump; and Gabby Schlaak, 6th, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles.
"The hurdlers and throwers really
showed up tonight," said Ferber. "Misgen and Riewer really scored some nice points in the long jump."
Other places for the NRHEG girls: 4x200 relay, 5th (Spies, Misgen, Riewer, Clara Buendorf); 4x800, 8th (Elise Aronson, Riewer, Bartness, Buendorf).
"In subsections we don't really focus on team scores, but rather to move as many athletes on to the section meet as we can," said Ferber.
Jackson County Central took the girls' team title with 177.5 points, followed by NRHG with 89.5, Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 81.5, St. Clair 71.5, Blue Earth Area 58, Windom Area 58, St. James 39, Mountain Lake/Comfrey 32.5, Martin County West/Butterfield Odin 32, Maple River 29, USC/AC
23.5, Heron Lake Okabena 7, MT/GHEC/ML 3.
Will Tuttle provided the most highlights for the boys, winning the 110 hurdles in 16.18 and finishing first in the 300 hurdles in 16.18.
"Will has been amazing all sea son," said Ferber. "He really dominated tonight."
The Panthers' other gold medalist was Lucas Hanna, who threw the discus 1493.
"Lucas had another great meet," said Ferber. "He has an excellent chance of qualifying for the state meet."
Other section qualifying performances: Sawyer Prigge, 2nd, high jump; Levin Kitzer, 3rd, 110 hurdles and 7th, 300 hurdles; Parker Bunn, 3rd, 300 hurdles; Aiden Deyle, 5th, 100 and 7th, 200; and Hanna, 6th, shot put.
"Our hurdlers really carried us on points tonight," said Ferber. "Aiden had a great meet, qualifying for sections in the 100 and 200."
The Panthers' top relay was the 4x400, where they finished fifth with Deyle, Harbor Cromwell, Prigge and Tuttle.
Boys’ team standings: Maple River 143, JCC 89, Mountain Lake Comfrey 76.5, LCWM/N 72, NRHEG 69, St. James 50, Windom 63, MT/GHEC/ML 35, Heron Lake Okabena 34.5, Blue Earth Area 29, St. Clair 26, USC/AC O.
The Panthers compete in the Section 2A meet Saturday, June 3 at Mankato West High School. Field events begin at 9:30 with running prelimaries starting at 10. The first place relays, top two individuals in each event and those reaching qualifying standards advance to state.