The Albert Lea Tigers kept it close against the Rochester Mayo girls’ swimming and diving team for as long as they could.

Friday, September 21, 2001

The Albert Lea Tigers kept it close against the Rochester Mayo girls’ swimming and diving team for as long as they could.

Then they pulled ahead for good.

The Tigers trailed most of the night but outscored the visiting Spartans 38-22 in the final four events and rallied for a 95-91 dual-meet victory at Albert Lea High School Thursday.

The young Tigers won it with depth, taking the victory despite placing first in only four of 12 events.

A key first was in the 200-yard freestyle relay, where Laura Grund, Brooke Kaasa, Lonna Vanderploeg and Krista Horejsi edged Owatonna’s top foursome. It pulled the Tigers within 73-67.

Amy Leach, Alyssa Nelson and Kaeli Wayne went 2-3-4 in the 100 backstroke, and the Tigers took the lead with a 1-2-3 finish in the 100 breaststroke by Leah Matheson, Horejsi and Megan Austin.

The Tigers’ other individual first was by Chelsea Cole in the 50 freestyle.

Nelson, Matheson, Cole and Leach won the 200 medley relay.

Other Albert Lea places: Brooke Kaasa, second, 200 free and second, 500 free; Vanderploeg, fourth, 200 free and fourth, 100 free; Grund, third, 200 IM and second, 100 free; Leach, fourth, 200 IM; Laura Hillman, third, 50 free and third, diving; Horejsi, fifth, 50 free; Nelson, third, 100 butterfly; Cole, second, 100 butterfly; Laura Linnes, fifth, 100 butterfly; Wayne, fifth, 100 free; Rachael Hagen, fourth, 500 free.

The Tigers’ junior varsity won 104-54. Firsts were by Austin, 200 IM; Trisha Reindl, 100 butterfly; Emily Wirkus, 500 free; Carly Matheson, 100 back; Jennifer Osmundson, 100 breast.

The Tigers return to action Tuesday at Mankato East.