NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team lost to two of the upper division teams in the Gopher Conference last week, making it nine losses in their last 10 games. 

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and Blooming Prairie both defeated the Panthers for the second time this season.

The Bucs, who are tied with United South Central for the top spot in the conference, rolled to a 23-point victory in Waterville Feb. 12.

Blooming Prairie, currently third in the Gopher, posted a 17-point win in Blooming Prairie Friday. 

NRHEG dropped to 3-10 (7th) in the conference and 5-17 for the year. The Panthers are 2-12 on the road this season. 

WEM

WATERVILLE – Conference co-leader WEM outscored NRHEG 35-23 in the second half to capture a 76-53 victory in Waterville Tuesday. The Bucs won the earlier meeting 59-46.

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WE WIN! — The crowd erupts and NRHEG freshman Wyatt Fitterer reacts after he pinned USC’s Joe Matthews in the 285-pound match Saturday afternoon in New Richland. Fitterer’s 38-second fall followed a decision by Todd Erickson that sealed the victory and the Gopher Conference championship for the Panthers, who defeated the Rebels 40-27. (Star Eagle photos by Chris Schlaak)

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva wrestling team saved its best wrestling of the regular season for the final week. 

Two key conference wins gave coach Paul Cyr’s grapplers the Gopher Conference championship. 

Wrestling on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the second straight week, the Panthers won all five dual meets to head into tournament action on a positive note. 

“It was an exciting weekend for us and a great way to end our regular season,” said Cyr. “After struggling much of the season to get our head above water, we picked a great time to wrestle our best.”

Panthers wrap up conference title

By DALE KUGATH

Sportswriter

Even four games in five days couldn’t slow down the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team. 

The Panthers stretched their winning streak to 20 games by demolishing Gopher Conference foes Medford and Randolph, and blasting non-conference opponents Blue Earth and Goodhue, to add four more wins to their outstanding season. NRHEG is 12-0 in the conference, and has wrapped up its fifth consecutive conference championship. The Panthers are 22-1 and ranked second in Class AA.

Medford

NEW RICHLAND – The Panthers piled up the points for the second time this season against Medford, routing the Tigers 87-37 in New Richland Feb. 5. NRHEG won the first meeting 79-17.