For the Tribune

NORTHFIELD – The Albert Lea High School boys’ track and field team opened its season against Bloomington Jefferson in a non-scoring indoor meet at St.

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

NORTHFIELD – The Albert Lea High School boys’ track and field team opened its season against Bloomington Jefferson in a non-scoring indoor meet at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

Only 21 of the 36 boys attended the meet because of spring break, but first-year head coach Lon Nelson and his staff were pleased with the way the squad performed against a young Jefferson team.

&uot;We held our own in the sprints, shot and the distance events,&uot; said Nelson. &uot;We didn’t bring any high jumpers or hurdlers. In a few weeks our skill events will come around and we’ll be able to challenge the other teams more than today.&uot;

The distance runners turned in respectable performances for this early in the season, according to Nelson.

Sophomore Taylor Zimmerman won the mile in 5:08 while Adam Muilenburg and Sean Harms finished second and third, respectively in the 2 mile.

Coach Don Kropp was pleased with his shot putters. Sophomore Mike Veldman had the best throw at 42-1.

Sprint coach Al Helgerson praised his four-lap relay team of Nate Lombardi, Josh More, Andrew Irvine and Joe Squires. They edged the Jaguar team at the tape in spite of two poor baton exchanges.

Jake Jerdee, Cody Otterson, Tim Evans and Zach Marty placed third in the four-lap relay.