In an effort to shine under the lights on Friday nights in September and October, a group of 11 Albert Lea High School football players endured some intense workouts in grueling July heat.

But they didn’t just endure. They excelled.

Often competing against athletes from other Big Nine Conference schools, six Tigers brought home top honors at their position during a four-day camp at River Falls, Wis., that included 10 two-hour practice sessions.

Earning top player honors in their age-group positions were senior Tony Tolbers, quarterback; senior Jake McClaskey, defensive back; junior Steve Thorn, receiver; sophomore Cory Kuipers, defensive back; sophomore Jared Butler, linebacker; and sophomore Trent Miller, defensive line. McClaskey also worked out at receiver, Butler at running back, Kuipers at receiver and Miller at tight end.

Also attending the camp were senior Steve Sawin, offensive tackle; senior Ross Anderson, defensive tackle and guard; senior Mike Witter, defensive back; junior Ross Habben, fullback and linebacker; sophomore Zach Marty, quarterback and linebacker.

According to ALHS head football coach Jeff Marty, the players worked hard and learned a lot.

&uot;The guys get a lot of work in during the four-day camp.,&uot; said Coach Marty. &uot;The camp is designed to allow a player to work for five practice sessions at an offensive or defensive position and then switch to the other side of the ball. If a player wishes, though, they may remain at one spot for the entire camp and push hard to improve in that area.&uot;

Marty said he and assistant coach Jim Smith were able to observe several of the sessions over the four days and liked what they saw, both from the camp but more importantly from the Albert Lea players that attended.

There were more than 350 athletes at the camp, but most of the position sessions were in groups of eight or less with one coach.

&uot;They do a nice job trying to hire enough coaches to ensure the instruction time is very well utilized,&uot; said Coach Marty. &uot;As with any camp, there were some times where players get shorted, and the only true complaint I would make would be that some of our players were not able to get enough reps during the scrimmages. They worked very hard during the camp, and the scrimmage time is their ‘fun’ time &045; an outlet. That is the reason they play the game.&uot;

Coach Marty and the 2002 Tigers are intent on ending a losing streak that dates back four seasons, and Marty feels the camp performance is a step in the right direction.

&uot;All of our campers performed very well, and several coaches made complimentary comments on our athletes,&uot; said the coach. &uot;It was a very good experience for our guys, and should be a great stepping stone for them to a successful season.&uot;