Whether battling other competitors, trying to outperform teammates, chasing a school record, or focusing on upcoming the outdoor season, athletes rose to the challenge Thursday during the Northern State Open indoor track and field meet at the Barnett Center. Potter County's Emma Schlachter topped a loaded field to win the girls' 800-meter run. The junior said she just focuses on her own race, "I try not to think about my competition," Schlachter said. "I just think about myself and where I’m at." However, it had to feel satisfying to edge some Class AA Aberdeen Central runners including Juna Ramey, an outstanding runner in own right, who later won the 1,600-meter run. "She is really good," Schlachter said. "It was fun to compete with her today." And it was a battle to the finish as Schlachter edged Groton's Faith Traphagen at the wire. "It was a close race," Schlachter said. "Towards the end it got really, really close." Schlachter is part of a team that won the