AUSTIN &045; It may have been a third-place finish in a triangular, but it was far from disappointing for the Albert Lea High School boys’ track and field team.

&uot;It’s the most points we have scored in a conference triangular the past three years,&uot; said coach Lon Nelson.

The Tigers totaled 48 points at Austin Tuesday to 73 for the host team and 65 for Rochester John Marshall.

&uot;Points were a little easier to come by today,&uot; said Nelson. &uot;JM and Austin are quality teams. We’re pleased to have scored as well as we did.&uot;

Mike Veldman won the shot put and discus. The other Tiger first was by Brett Plantage in the high jump.

&uot;Our second and third-place finishers were so close to first or second,&uot; said Nelson.

Cory Kuipers was close in the sprints, taking second in the 100 and 400 meters and third in the 200. Also taking second were Taylor Zimmerman, 3200; Lionel Thomas, 110 hurdles; Jordan Neve, discus; Wade Kolling, shot put; and the 4×200 relay.

Other ALHS places: Nate Lombardi, third, 100; Corey Berggren, fourth, 200; Levi Budd, third, 1600; Jordan Nolander, sixth, 300 hurdles; Andrew Stapleton, fifth, long jump and fourth, triple jump; Plantage, sixth, long jump; Trent Miller, fifth, shot put; Kolling, third, discus.

The Tigers host Winona, Mankato West and Rochester Mayo next Tuesday.