DULUTH &045; Coach Kent Viesselman called it the best &uot;team&uot; race of the season for the United South Central/Alden-Conger boys’ cross country squad.

That’s saying a lot, considering 40 teams were represented in Saturday’s Duluth Swain Invitational, where the Rebels boys finished fourth.

&uot;The ability of the boys to pack up has been instrumental in their success this season,&uot; said Viesselman. &uot;Saturday was the best job we’ve done in that regard in a big meet.&uot;

Eveleth-Gilbert won with 52 points. The Rebels had 162.

Bob Schmitz, Eric Youngblom and Jake Stenzel finished within 3 seconds of each other to place 22nd, 23rd and 24th, respectively. Brad Tomschin’s best race of the year earned him 30th among 203 runners. Spencer Niebuhr completed the scoring, finishing 82nd. Matt Mueller was 100th, Erik Melby 142nd.

The USC/AC girls were ninth among 35 teams, led by Jamie Klein’s 14th-place finish.

&uot;Over half the runners who beat Jamie are rated in the top 10 in the state,&uot; said Viesselman. &uot;She’s running in pretty fast company.&uot;

Following for the Rebels were Becca Bryson (32nd), Katie Schultz (41st), Katie Jensen 85th) and Joelle Elmer (118th).

Glencoe-Silver Lake was first with 118 points. The Rebels, who had 269 points, were without three of their top six runners. All are expected to resume training this week.

&uot;Both the boys’ and girls’ courses at Swain run about a minute slower than other courses,&uot; said Viesselman. &uot;So times don’t mean a whole lot.&uot;

The Rebels host the No Frills Invitational at Oak View Golf Course today at 4:30. They compete in the Gopher Valley Conference meet next Tuesday at Fox Lake Golf Course near Sherburn.

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