Boys’ and girls’ track and field teams compete in conference meet

 

The NRHEG and United South Central/Alden-Conger boys’ and girls’ track and field teams got their regular seasons started Saturday with the Gopher Conference indoor meet on the campus of Minnesota State University-Mankato.

In the boys’ meet, the Panthers dominated the competition — taking first place with 152 points, while the Rebels finished in sixth with 28 points.

The Panthers took home first place in eight events with junior Lonnie Wilson winning both the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes with times of 25.59 and 55.97, respectively. Sophomore Daniel Nydegger controlled the long distance runs with first-place finishes in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs with times of 2:18 and 5:16, respectively. Nydegger picked up his third first-place medal in the 4×400-meter relay along with juniors Mason Ferber and Agro Gushwa and sophomore Teddy Gushwa, winning with a time of 3:54.01.

Senior Brady Agrimson also finished the day with three wins, taking first in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.33, the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.36 and the high jump with a jump of 5’6”.

Four Panthers added to the medal count with second-place finishes. Wilson took second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.29 and the long jump with a jump of 17’5.75”. Argo Gushwa added to his total with runner-up finishes in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.68 and the high jump with a final jump of 5’4”. Senior Alex Buckmeier took second in the shot put with a throw of 41’2.5” and Ferber finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.83.

“Our boys looked very good (Saturday) winning the Gopher Conference Indoor,” said head coach Duey Ferber. “This is a good benchmark to start the season, we have improvements to make, but we are off to a good start.”

The Rebels were unable to come away with any first-place finishes, but did take one second-place and three third-place finishes.

Sophomore Isaac Burgett was the sole second-place winner for the Rebels with a time of 25.76 in the 200-meter dash.

Senior Santiago Mendoza finished the 800-meter run in third with a time of 2:22.00 and sophomore Riley Staloch won two third-place medals with a time of 8.99 in the 55-meter hurdles and 9.27 in the 60-meter hurdles.

On the girls’ side, NRHEG ended the meet tied for third place with Hayfield at 74 points, only 2.5 points away from meet-winner Maple River. United South Central/Alden-Conger came in sixth with 47 points.

The Panthers had three events finish in the top two, two of them earning the first-place finish. Seventh-grader Evelyn Nydegger was one of the first-place winners with a time of 1:11.42 in the 400-meter dash. Freshman Natalie Johnson took home a first-place finish in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 10.32. Senior Caitlin Goette was the only second-place finisher for the Panthers, ending the 200-meter dash with a time of 30.5.

“Girls had a great day, finishing 2.5 pts out of first place,” Ferber said. “Our new seventh-grader Evelyn Nydegger had a great day winning the 400-meter and looking good in her other events. Natalie Johnson looked strong in the hurdles and Caitlin Goette looks to be our strongest sprinter with a nice second-place finish in the 200.”

The Rebels had one runner finish in the top three of an event. Seventh-grader Kyllah Curry won the 200-meter dash with a time of 29.04.

The Rebels continue their season with a meet scheduled for Friday at St. Charles High School. The Panthers will host their next meet April 2.

 

Gopher Conference indoor meet results

Boys

Team standings

1. NRHEG 152

2. W-E-M 96

3. Medford 64.5

4. Maple River 57

5. Hayfield 39

6. USC/AC 28

7. Blooming Prairie 20.5

8. Bethlehem Academy 5

 

First place

200-meter dash: Lonnie Wilson (NR), 25.59

400-meter dash: Lonnie Wilson (NR), 55.97

800-meter dash: Daniel Nydegger (NR), 2:18

1600-meter dash: Daniel Nydegger (NR), 5:16

55-meter hurdles: Brady Agrimson (NR), 8.33

60-meter hurdles: Brady Agrimson (NR), 8.36

4×400-meter relay: Mason Ferber, Agro Gushwa, Teddy Gushwa, Daniel Nydegger (NR), 3:54.01

High jump: Brady Agrimson (NR), 5-6

 

Second place

60-meter dash: Lonnie Wilson (NR), 7.29

200-meter dash: Isaac Burgett (USC/AC), 25.76

400-meter dash: Agro Gushwa (NR), 57.68

60-meter hurdles:  Mason Ferber (NR), 8.83

High jump: Agro Gushwa (NR), 5-4

Long jump: Lonnie Wilson (NR), 17-5.75

Shot put: Alex Buckmeier (NR) 41-2.5

 

 

Girls

Team standings

1. Maple River 76.5

2. W-E-M 76

3. NRHEG 74

4. Hayfield 74

5. Medford 56.5

6. USC/AC 47

7. Bethlehem Academy 31

8. Blooming Prairie 28

 

First place

200-meter dash: Kyllah Curry (USC/AC), 29.04

400-meter dash: Evelyn Nydegger (NR), 1:11.42

55-meter hurdles: Natalie Johnson (NR), 10.32

 

Second place

200-meter dash: Caitlin Goette (NR), 30.5