Their time on the track at the Hershey’s Track and Field Games lasted less than a minute.

However, the memories of their trip to Hershey, Pa. to compete and see the sites will remain etched in the minds of four local athletes who represented Rugby’s Hershey Track program and the state.

The boys – Tanner Bernhardt, Zach Miller and Nigel Hageness, of Rugby; and Eli Luna, of Towner; finished seventh in the boys age 13-14 400 meter relay. Their time was :51.21.

Parents of the participants are: Tony and Brenda Bernhardt; Chad and Shannon Miller; Todd and Sandy Hageness and Ernesto and Chantel Luna.

Bernhardt ran the opening leg followed by Luna, Miller and Hageness. Their time was nearly a second faster than the one (:52.24) posted at the N.D. State Hershey Meet in June. A relay representing California won the event in a time of :46.78.

In addition to competing in the meet, the four also toured the Hershey Chocolate Factory and Hershey Park (amusement park). The expenses for the athletes were paid through the national program. Tradition continues

This was the sixth time in seven years that athletes in the local Hershey program competed at the national meet.

Tara Kuntz, of Rugby, also attended the meet served as a chaperone for the North Dakota squad. There were seven other athletes from the state who competed.

For complete results, log on to www.hersheystrackandfield.com/meet/results.aspx.