ST. PAUL &045; Neither Adam Elseth or Josh Hansen felt good about the way their season finished, but they had to admit it was not a bad place to end it.

And, all things considered, it was definitely not a bad season.

Though both Albert Leans dropped their final match, Elseth placed second and Hansen finished fourth in the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament that concluded Saturday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

&uot;It was a heck of a season for both those guys,&uot; said coach Larry Goodnature, who had four Tigers at state. &uot;We did all right. To come up here and come home with a place, that’s just great. To bring four kids up here and go home with two medals, we’re happy with that. All four went out there and gave it everything they’ve got, and that’s all you can ask.&uot;

In the Class AAA 135-pound final, Elseth faced Jesten Hulegaard of Anoka, a senior who was rated No. 1 in the state all season. Elseth, ranked No. 2, battled hard, pulling within 5-4 with a third-period reversal, but he gave up an escape and a takedown to lose 8-4.

Elseth, who had only allowed one takedown all season, gave up four to Hulegaard.

&uot;He was real quick,&uot; said Elseth. &uot;You could tell he’s just a technician out there. I just need to be more aggressive. I gave up a couple dumb takedowns when there was hardly any time left. I didn’t wrestle smart out there. I honestly don’t think I deserved to win that match today.&uot;

A junior, Elseth finished with a record of 34-2.

Hansen also had a tough Saturday foe, though his was more familiar &045; Mike Meger of Owatonna, who beat him 15-5 for the Section 1AAA title. It was 2-0 after one period and, after a Hansen reversal, it was 5-2 in the second. But Meger pulled away to win 9-3.

&uot;He’s pretty strong, and he knew how to keep me down,&uot; said Hansen. &uot;I couldn’t get away from him in the second and third period when I needed to.&uot;

Hansen finished his senior season 32-6.