MANKATO &045; The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ track and field team finished second in the Gopher Conference Indoor Meet at Minnesota State-Mankato Friday.

United South Central/Alden-Conger won with 115 points, followed by the Panthers with 113, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 106, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 66.5, Medford 59, Mankato Loyola 56 and Blooming Prairie nine.

Alison Anderson led the Panthers, winning three individual events and leading off the first-place 4×200-meter relay team. She won the 55-meter dash in 7.57 seconds, the 200 in 27.6 and the long jump at 15-4 1/2. Anderson, Hillary Johnson, Alyssa Braaten and Steph Bell combined for first in the 4×200.

&uot;Alison looked stronger than she ever has,&uot; said NRHEG co-coach Duey Ferber. &uot;Her confidence has raised tremendously.&uot;

Kalisha Anthony had the Panthers’ other first, clearing 8 feet in the pole vault. She was second in the 55 intermediate hurdles and the 55 high hurdles, clocking 9.6 in both. Kyree Wobbrock tossed the shot 30-5 for second place. Karla Lewer was second in the 1600 in 5:51 and third in the 3200 in 13:00.

&uot;Lewer looked in midseason form,&uot; said Ferber.

Other NRHEG places: Megan Groskreutz, fourth, pole vault; Tami Sorenson, fifth, 55 intermediate hurdles; Jessica Brouwers, fifth, 800; Ashley Misgen, fifth, long jump, sixth, high jump and sixth, 55 high hurdles; sprint medley relay, fifth (Bryanna Anthony, Emily Coil, Heather Malakowsky, Kayla Reese).

&uot;The girls really surprised me tonight,&uot; said Ferber. &uot;We ran a lot of younger girls to get an idea of their capabilities and they performed very well.&uot;