BLAINE &045; The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ track and field team finished the 2002 season in a most appropriate way.

The Panthers scored the most points at the state meet in school history.

With all three of their entrants placing in the top eight, NRHEG finished with 14 1/2 points in the Class A state meet that concluded Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Nicole Lonning took the highest place, finishing third in the shot put. Camille Kyte was fourth in the 200-meter dash. Kalisha Anthony tied for eighth in the pole vault.

&uot;We were very pleased with how we came out,&uot; said coach Duey Ferber. &uot;The girls more than represented our community and conference. The did a nice job, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see all three back up there next year, with some more joining them. I guess our goal is to take a bus load of participants up there.&uot;

The lone disappointment was a false start by Kyte in the 100, which disqualified her from the race.

The Panthers’ previous best finish in the state meet was 10 points twice, both when Heidi Crabtree placed second in the discus.