It’s been at least seven years since the Albert Lea High School boys’ golf team won the Big Nine championship, but it seems like every year since then the Tigers have talked about getting back to the top.

This just could be the year they do it.

The Tigers won another triangular at Green Lea Golf Course Monday, improving their conference record to 6-1. All that remains is a triangular at Winona Friday and the Big Nine tournament.

&uot;It’s been a while since we’ve had the title,&uot; said coach Doug Christopherson. &uot;We’d like to get it back.&uot;

The Tigers totaled 315 strokes for 18 holes Monday while Owatonna had 319 and Mankato West 333.

Albert Lea’s Ryan Thompson was the medalist with a 74. Adam Elseth shot 75, Dan Breuer 82 and Adam Boelter 84 to complete the varsity scoring. Jon Breuer at 87 and Ross Stadheim at 89 missed the scoring cut.

The junior varsity lost for the first time this year. Owatonna had 322, Albert Lea 329, Mankato West 376.

Josh Jones led the JV with a 78. Josh Tubbs shot a 79.

Christopherson said the 315 is a good score considering the windy conditions.

&uot;It was a good day because we’re not 6-1 in the conference with one conference meet left,&uot; said the coach.

The Big Nine title is determined by a combination of regular-season and conference tournament results. The Tigers and Rochester Century both have one loss. Mankato East may be unbeaten but has played only three meets.

The Big Nine tournament is next Monday at Austin Country Club.