It may have been a loss on the scoreboard, but first-year coach Lachelle Sandon reported another positive performance for the Albert Lea High School girls’ swimming and diving team.

The Tigers had several strong individual efforts and excellent relays, according to Sandon, while falling 98-84 to Mankato West Tuesday in the ALHS pool.

&uot;We had great competition from Mankato and great sportsmanship,&uot; said Sandon.

It was also a great night for seventh-grader Samantha Cole. The Tigers’ first-year varsity swimmer was in on four firsts, winning the 50 and 100-yard freestyle. She joined Kaeli Wayne, Leah Matheson and Chelsea Cole on the first-place 200 medley relay and swam with Chelsea Cole, Brooke Kaasa and Lonna Vanderploeg on the winning 400 free relay.

The Tigers’ other first was by Matheson, in the 100 breast.

Other Albert Lea places: Brooke Kaasa, second, 200 free and third, 500 free; Rachael Hagen, fourth, 200 free and fifth, 500 free; Brittney Kaasa, fifth, 200 free and fourth, 500 free; Matheson, third, 200 IM; Amy Leach, fifth, 200 IM; Vanderploeg, third, 50 free and fourth, 100 free; Kassi Gaul, third, diving; Chelsea Cole, second, 100 butterfly; Alyssa Nelson, fourth, 100 butterfly and fifth, 100 back; Whitney Walters, fifth, 100 free; Wayne, second, 100 back; Krista Horejsi, third, 100 breast; Mariah McGill, fourth, 100 breast.

Mankato West won the junior varsity meet 108-66. Firsts for the Tigers: Brianna Gold, 100 butterfly; Emily Wirkus, 500 free; Megan Austin, 100 breast.

The Tigers, 0-2 in dual meets, travel to Rochester John Marshall Thursday.