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Published 12:00 am Friday, April 19, 2002

NORTHFIELD &045; There was a time when the Albert Lea High School boys’ golf team practically owned the Northfield Invitational, though coach Doug Christopherson can’t say exactly when the Tigers last won it. The coach also couldn’t recall the last time one of his players shot a 70 in competition.

Both happened Thursday.

Senior Ryan Thompson fired an even par 70 to take medalist honors while the Tigers topped an eight-team field at Northfield Country Club.

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The Tigers totaled 305 strokes for 18 holes, giving them a comfortable margin over second-place Northfield’s 312. Burnsville and Apple Valley both shot 313, followed by Rosemount with 326, Mankato West 330, Monticello 336 and Richfield 338.

Thompson and Adam Boelter, who shot a 75, both had a 33 on the back nine. Josh Jones carded a 78, Adam Elseth 82. Missing the scoring cut were Dan Breuer at 86 and Matt Tubbs at 95.

&uot;We went from playing very poorly on Monday to playing extremely well today,&uot; said Christopherson, who guessed it was at least three or four years since the Tigers last won the tournament. The last round of 70 he figures was in the mid-1990s, probably by Chris Baas.

&uot;We’re trying to put Albert Lea back on the golfing map,&uot; said Christopherson.

The Tigers play Monday at 3:30 at Austin