NEW RICHLAND &045; Nicole Lonning admits she was a little concerned entering the 2003 track and field season.

There were very high expectations for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ team and Lonning, a senior, was worried they might not be met.

She’s breathing easier now.

The Panthers continued their reign atop the Gopher Conference and Sub-Section 2A while earning another trip to the True Team state meet.

As for Lonning, she’ll finish her season and Panther career this weekend in the traditional state meet at the National Sports Center in Blaine. She competed in the discus today and on Saturday will go for a medal in the shot put for the second year in a row.

The state meet marks an end to a six-year varsity track career for Lonning, who graduates as the school record holder in the shot put. The old record might still stand if not for Lonning’s older sister, Missy, who convinced her to go out for track.

&uot;I had always planned to do softball (in seventh grade) and track the next year,&uot; said Lonning. &uot;She told me to go out for track, and I liked it well enough. If not for her, I might have played softball.&uot;

Her coaches are glad she picked track, and not just for her athletic ability. While recognized as a hard worker and intense competitor, Lonning also has a reputation as a happy-go-lucky, carefree individual who’s been known to bring a donut on a practice lap.

&uot;She’s kind of a loose spirit,&uot; said co-head coach Mike Weber. &uot;She’s fun to have around.&uot;

&uot;Her smile is unbelievable,&uot; said throwing coach Chuck Crabtree. &uot;Nicole is a people person from the word go, an awesome personality. She’s somebody you enjoy being around, and I’ll miss her.&uot;

But they’ll have two more opportunities to watch her compete as a Panther, and that’s something both coaches have enjoyed.

&uot;She’s meticulous about her throwing,&uot; said Weber. &uot;She’s put in the time to learn how to do it just right, she’s spent time in the weight room. But probably her best characteristic as an athlete is she’s just so quick. She has the power, she has the knowledge, but what helps her the most is her quickness.&uot;

&uot;She’s the most coachable athlete I’ve had in a long time,&uot;

said Crabtree. &uot;I’ve never had anybody who wanted to work as hard as she does. She’s never satisfied with the last throw. She always wants the next one to be better. And she has a great competitive attitude. When she steps into the discus circle or shot put pad, it’s hers. She has that attitude that she’s going to beat you.&uot;

Lonning said she was fortunate to be coached by Crabtree.

&uot;Obviously, I owe my whole throwing career to him,&uot; she said. &uot;So many girls have the talent, but they just need a coach. I was lucky enough to get one.&uot;

Lonning also figures to get another medal at state after finishing third in the shot put there a year ago. She’s seeded second, about 4 feet behind the top-seeded girl. She’s seeded next-to-last in the discus.

But Lonning also knows anything can happen at Blaine.

&uot;Last year, I was the only one there who hadn’t thrown 40 feet (in the shot put),&uot; said Lonning. &uot;I was just hoping to get to the finals. The other girls, they just weren’t doing it up there. It all comes down to one day.&uot;

Lonning, whose grandparents Roger and Marge Lonning live in Albert Lea, plans to attend Winona State and compete on the track team.

As for the end of her high school track career, it sounds like Lonning is satisfied regardless of what happens at Blaine.

&uot;I was worried we might not meet all the expectations this season,&uot; she said. &uot;But everything’s turning out real well.&uot;