Two New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva athletes will return to the state meet, which wasn’t much of a surprise, but it will be in different events this time.

Alyssa Kerkhoff and Heather Schmit will appear in the state track and field meet once again for the Panthers. For Kerkhoff it’s the third time she has made the meet and the fourth time for Schmit, but each will appear in events they have never qualified in before.

Kerkhoff reached the state meet in the 400-meter dash last season, but will run in the 200 this year after she finished second at the Section 2A meet in Mankato Saturday with a time of 27.77.

Schmit, who qualified in the 100 last season, will compete in the long jump this season after her leap of 16-feet, 8-inches.

Both athletes placed in their respective events last season.

The 4×100 relay team of Kerkhoff, Schmit, Tatum Wacholz and Anna Schlaak finished second at the section meet and set a school record in the event with a time of 51.32.

David Lindell advanced to the state meet for the boys’ team in the discus with his second place finish. Lindell had a throw of 136 feet, 7 1/2 inches.

“David had a nice throw with a difficult tail wind,” said NRHEG head coach Duey Ferber.

Ryan Panuska added a fourth place finish in the pole vault and set a school record by clearing 12-feet, 2 inches.

Panthers’ assistant coach Chuck Crabtree won assistant coach of the year for Section 2A as well.

“Chuck has deserved this award for the past 20 years,” Ferber said. “He is one of the best throwing coaches in the state. We are very lucky to have him.”