Each of Rugby’s Varsity Track and Field teams took first place at the Central North Dakota Conference (CNDC) Indoor Invite held on Friday, April 1 at the Minot State University Dome.

The Panther boys participated in 15 events and received first place with a team score of 179.5. Harvey-Wells County followed at 2nd place with a score of 104 and Benson County took third place with a team score of 72.

The Lady Panthers took first place with a team score of 172. Harvey-Wells County girls took second place with 84 and Benson County girls with third place and 83 points.

“It was a good day,” said Boys Coach Scott Grochow. “The kids performed well.”

Eric Kuntz was a standout for the boys’ team with 3 first-place finishes, in long jump, pole vault, and 55 M hurdles. Jason Goetz took 5th place in the 55 M hurdles. Both boys are seniors. In the high jump seniors Levi Schaan took 4th, Riley Olson took 4th and junior David McAtee took 7th place. Schaan placed 4th in the triple jump, as well. Senior Josh Tank took second place finishes in the triple jump, and the pole vault. Tank took third place in the 55M hurdles. Seniors Garrett Thompson and Tyler Larson were teammates in the 4×800 relay that took 2nd place. Others in the relay were Erik Wangler and Taylor DeMers.

Senior Zach Thompson placed 5th in the shot put, with D.J. Wilkie in 8th place.

Senior girls Molly Koenig and Crystal Hovland each received 1st place ratings with Koenig in the shot put and Hovland in 55 M hurdles. Hovland placed 2nd in 55 M dash. Hovland was, also, a member of the 4×1 lap relay which took1st place, along with Rachel Hoffert, Emily Stier and Aubrey Hovland. Senior Rachel Hoffert brought home 2 third place finishes in 55M dash and 200 M dash. In addition to the 4×1 lap relay, Hoffert was also a member of the 4×400 M relay which finished in 2nd place. Chandra Yankton, Emily Stier, and Sydney Kraft were the other three members. Senior Michelle Lemar earned 7th place in shot put.

“We have a lot of kids who have taken a step forward and I have seen some really nice things,” said Grochow. “The new kids can really help out.”

The younger girls did an outstanding job as well. In addition to participating in the relays, Chandra Yankton brought home a 1st place finish in the 1600 M run. Sydney Kraft got 2nd place in the 800 M run. Lauren Christenson finished in 1st place in the 3200 M run followed by Hannah Christenson in 2nd place. Abbey Paul brought home a 1st place win in the long jump and one in the triple jump. Aubrey Hovland had the high jump covered with a 1st place and Jessica Blessum with a 4th place in the high jump.

“I’m looking forward to an outdoor meet to see what they do there,”said Coach Grochow.

The next meets are the Hazen Invitational and the Devils Lake Invitational both on Saturday, April 16.