MINNEAPOLIS &045; In many of their meets, the Albert Lea High School cross country teams see some of the best runners in the state. In the Minneapolis South Border Battle, they faced some of the best from several states.

&uot;We ran very well against some top competition from the region,&uot; said coach Jim Haney. &uot;I think the kids had a great time and we did a great job against a tough field. We learned a great deal from seeing how other teams prepare and run in meets.&uot;

The ALHS boys were 14th among 15 teams. They were part of a combined team that took second out of five &uot;regional&uot; squads.

Places and times for the Tigers: Levi Budd, 53rd, 18:24; Andrew Irvine, 68th, 19:01; Casey Ciffra, 91st, 20:05; Brock Sorenson, 93rd, 20:17; Eric Elleby, 99th, 20:40.

The junior varsity boys finished eighth out of nine teams. Places and times: Steve Stenholz, 30th, 21:37; Eric Bowron, 31st, 21:39; Drew Klick, 60th, 24:47; Matt VanFossen, 65th, 26:54.

Albert Lea’s girls placed 10th among 11 schools. Places and times: Paige Seadlund, 31st, 17:48; Amber Flategraff, 52nd, 18:54; Mallory King, 60th, 19:08; Anna Keesling, 61st, 19:13; Ellen VanderSyde, 64th, 19:34; Tara Helgerson, 70th, 20:13.

The Tigers’ JV girls were fourth out of seven teams. Places and times: Alyssa Keesling, fourth, 19:13; Marta Behling, 16th, 20:17; Kyra Dannaker, 21st, 21:07; Heidi Czaplewski, 26th, 21:39; Elizabeth Burnett, 31st, 21:58; Courtney Springborg, 34th, 22:05; Faren Culp, 36th, 23:35.

&uot;The runners should be proud of their efforts the last two weeks,&uot; said Haney. &uot;And I think they will continue to push to get better.&uot;

The Tigers run Thursday in the Owatonna Invitational.

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)