There has been a lot of hard work, plenty of strong performances and outstanding school spirit for the 2002 Albert Lea High School girls’ swimming and diving team.

And now the Tigers have a victory.

The ALHS girls rallied past St. Peter 95-91 in the ALHS pool Monday night, winning for the first time this year and the first time for new head coach Lachelle Sandon.

Trailing 79-72 after 10 events, the Tigers took the lead with a 1-2 finish by Leah Matheson and Krista Horejsi in the 100-yard breaststroke and held it by taking second and third in the 40 freestyle relay.

&uot;It came down to the end,&uot; said Sandon. &uot;Without much practice and a Monday night meet, the girls were fabulous. It felt good to get our first win under our belt.&uot;

Seventh-grader Samantha Cole continued to win, taking the 50 and 100-yard freestyle for the third consecutive meet.

The only other first was by Matheson in the breaststroke.

Chelsea Cole, Brooke Kaasa, Kaeli Wayne and Samantha Cole were second in the 400 freestyle relay while Lonna Vanderploeg, Amy Leach, Alyssa Nelson and Brittney Kaasa were third.

Other Albert Lea places: Chelsea Cole, second, 200 free and second, 100 butterfly; Rachael Hagen, third, 200 free and third, 500 free; Matheson, second, 200 IM; Leach, third, 200 IM and fourth, 100 back; Jill Wilkie, fifth, 200 IM; Brooke Kaasa, second, 50 free and third, 100 free; Whitney Walters, fifth, 50 free; Kassi Gaul, second, diving; Rachel Foster, fifth, diving; Nelson, fourth, 100 butterfly and third, 100 back; Wayne, fourth, 100 free and second, 100 back; Brittney Kaasa, second, 500 free; Emily Wirkus, fifth, 500 free; Mariah McGill, fourth, 100 back.

St. Peter won the junior varsity meet 84-83.

The Tigers are at home again Thursday against Faribault.