The NRHEG cross country teams hosted their lone home meet of the season Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Riverview Golf Course.
Josh Fleming led the Panthers with a 14th-place finish, clocking 19:04. Other places: Ben Lewer, 21st, 19:49; Kollin Reese, 41st, 21:51; Braden Routh, 55th, 23:44; Tyler Malakowsky, 61st, 25:30.
Mankato Loyola won with 40 points, followed by Blooming Prairie with 57, Tri-City United 103, Austin Pacelli 125, Maple River 127, JWP/WEM 131, NRHEG 158 and Madelia/Truman 236.
“Our two captains led us tonight,” said Panthers coach Mike Weber. “Josh had a great finish on the home course. He caught a few runners in the last half mile. Ben had an impressive race, missing a medal by one spot. He has been having a strong season. Kollin has been consistent of late; he continues to be our third runner. Braden had his best run of the season; his times are coming down. Tylar ran his first 3.1-mile course and did well, turning in a very low time for a 7th-grade runner. Thanks to parents, friends, students, cheerleaders, teachers, and the community for coming out for the home meet. The athletes appreciated having the extra support.”
The NRHEG girls again had their three freshmen. Places: Jade Mely, 13th, 23:51; Mia Williams, 31st, 27:06; Destiny Medrano, 37th, 28:48.
TCU was first with 59 points, followed by Maple River and Loyola with 60, JWP/WEM 81 and Madelia/Truman 98.
“Jade turned in her best time this year, dropping over a minute,” said Weber. “Jade seems to be on track to having a strong second half of the season. I had thought that with the heat and hills that times would climb for this meet for all our runners, but good efforts kept times down. Destiny ran her second-best time for this season. We like the effort we have seen from this trio.”