NORTHFIELD – Their vehicle hadn’t even pulled out of the Hammer Field parking lot, but already Albert Lea boys’ track and field coach Howie Melom knew it would be a tough day for his star athletes.

Monday, June 04, 2001

NORTHFIELD – Their vehicle hadn’t even pulled out of the Hammer Field parking lot, but already Albert Lea boys’ track and field coach Howie Melom knew it would be a tough day for his star athletes.

The weather would see to that.

&uot;It was 46 degrees with a 23-mph wind,&uot; said Melom. &uot;The weather was not good for high jumpers.&uot;

Nick Cunningham was able to overcome it. Matt Ladwig was not as fortunate.

Cunningham qualified for state for the second year in a row, placing second in the high jump in the Section 2AA meet at Carleton College in Northfield Saturday. Ladwig took third, missing a return trip to state by one place.

The seniors, who finished 1-2 in several meets this spring, scored all 14 of the Tigers’ points. Both cleared 6-2, as did the winner from Red Wing.

Cunningham was as close as you can get. He and the Red Wing jumper were tied at the end, forcing a jump-off, which Cunningham lost on the first try.

&uot;Nobody could make 6-4, which is the state (qualifying) standard,&uot; said Melom. &uot;But it was the same old weather. It hasn’t been good for any sport this spring.&uot;

Cunningham and Ladwig both cleared 6-4 this spring.

&uot;It’s nice to see Nick make it to state,&uot; said Melom. &uot;It’s just too bad – I would have liked to see Matt make it. It just wasn’t in the cards, I guess.&uot;

The Tigers had two personal bests Saturday, by Tyler Young in the discus and Taylor Zimmerman in the 1600 meters.

Eastview topped the 16-team field with 101 points, followed in the top five by Winona with 82, Red Wing 67, Rochester Century 62 and Lakeville 60. The Tigers were 13th, with 14 points.

&uot;The kids went up there and competed well,&uot; said Melom. &uot;I hate to sound like the same old broken record stuck in a groove, but we have a lot of young people on our team. Hopefully, they’ll be back next year and can use this experience to their advantage.&uot;