OWATONNA – As far as individuals were concerned, the real race in the Section 1AA boys’ cross country meet was for second place.

Friday, October 29, 1999

OWATONNA – As far as individuals were concerned, the real race in the Section 1AA boys’ cross country meet was for second place.

Eric Beck won it going away.

Beck, an Albert Lea High School junior, finished well ahead of the pack vying for runner-up honors Thursday at Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna, earning his second trip to state in three years.

Premeet favorite Ted Gustafson of Owatonna dominated the 5-kilometer race, winning with a time of 15:30. Beck clocked 16:15.

&uot;It was a good race for second place,&uot; said ALHS coach Dick Montgomery. &uot;It was quite competitive. There was quite a pack competing for second, third and fourth, but Beck won it handily. With about 800 yards to go he started pulling away.&uot;

A state qualifier as a freshman, Beck started last season late and missed the state meet.

Montgomery was also impressed with the efforts of senior Ryan Sundve, who finished his Tiger cross country career with a personal-best time of 16:53, good for 13th place but quite close to a state berth.

&uot;He was very close to seventh place – within 30 yards,&uot; said Montgomery. &uot;He ran the best race of his life.&uot;

Ray Besco was next for the Tigers, placing 58th in 18:06, followed by Eric Harbacheck, 79th, 18:45; Andy Hertges, 92nd, 19:16; Matt Bracker, 78th, 18:44; and Adam McDermott, 101st, 19:45.

Owatonna won the meet with 49 points, followed in the top five by Red Wing with 102, Lakeville 111, Winona 126 and Faribault 145. The Tigers were ninth with 230.

Montgomery was pleased with the overall performance.

&uot;We had three people with personal-best times,&uot; he said. &uot;I think the boys’ team peaked at the right time.&uot;

Senior Ryan Rasmussen led the Albert Lea junior varsity with a personal-best 19:57, placing 79th. Mike Grund clocked 21:16 for 133rd place.

Beck will run in the state meet Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Olaf College in Northfield.