The NRHEG High School boys’ cross country team had its day in the sun last Tuesday, and they made the most of it.
The Panthers turned in their best effort of the season in their only home meet, placing fifth among seven squads at Riverview Golf Course.
“It was a good team effort,” said coach Mike Weber.
RAACHE, a home school from Rochester, won with 34 points, followed by Loyola/Cleveland with 48, Tri-City United 77, Maple River 111, NRHEG 148, JWP/WEM 148 and Austin Pacelli 172.
Josh Fleming again led the Panthers, placing 21st in 18:55. Following for NRHEG were Tyler Schlaak, 28th, 19:15; Zach Mely, 33rd, 20:02; Braden Routh, 45th, 21:09; Aaron Fleming, 64th, 22:40; Jorey Fischer, 68th, 22:56; and Orin Mely, 79th, 25:32.Fleming cut 1:20 off his previous best time.
“He gives it his all when he is out racing,” said Weber. “It is fun to see.”
Schlaak slashed 1:15 off his previous best 5K.
“The good running continued with Zach lowering his best by a half minute,” said Weber. “Braden took over a minute and a half from his best. Aaron took fifty seconds off his best. The top five figuring into the scoring really did well.”
Fischer’s finish gave the Panthers the tiebreaker for fifth with JWP/WEM.
“Although the sixth runner doesn’t factor into the total team points, the sixth and seventh runners are still important,” said Weber. “There are always those times teams tie in points but one gets a better place over its rival. It comes down to a total team effort of all members. That’s what the boys did. Overall, it was a fun meet due to a great effort, but it was also great seeing so many supporters from the community cheering for our runners.”
The NRHEG girls fielded a full squad for the first time this year, finishing seventh with 173 points. RAACHE won with 61.
Placing for the Panthers: Jade Mely, 28th, 24:25; Katharine Lewer, 36th, 25:21; Mia Williams, 37th, 25:29; Marissa Mortenson, 48th, 28:15; and Maddie Bartlett, 56th, 29:25.
“Jade continues to lead the girls, taking nearly a minute and a half off her best time this season,” said Weber. “Katharine had a very good race, also taking nearly a minute and a half from her best. Right behind Kat was Mia, who had her best finish by a half minute. Marissa had a PR by two minutes. This season we have some very good junior high runners, and Maddie made a jump to the varsity this week to help the team compete as a full squad. She did very well in her first race. With everyone having a personal best tonight, we couldn’t have asked for a better effort from the team. It was a good night at Riverview.”