ROCHESTER &8212; The fifth-ranked Albert Lea wrestling team made a successful return to the mat Thursday night downing Rochester Mayo 55-15.

The win assured the Tigers of no worse than a tie for the school&8217;s 23rd Big Nine Conference championship, but with a victory Tuesday against Mankato East at home they will win it outright.

Third-ranked Cody Hansen and Tim Aldrich got the Tigers off to a fast start each earning a pin with Hansen&8217;s coming in 1:33 and Aldrich needing just 1:30.

Mayo&8217;s Mike Minske would down Trevor Rasmussen 8-4 at 119 before the Tigers&8217; No. 9 Logan Kortan earned a 6-2 decision over Aaron Carlson. No. 6 Eric Johnson had the quickest pin of the night for Albert Lea disposing of Shawn Millard in 13 seconds at 125.

Colton Remakel received a forfeit at 130 and Adam Kermes was a 6-0 winner over John Kelly at 135.

Fifth-ranked Zach McGinnis took down Ryan Ihrke 8-7 at 140 before the Spartans&8217; lone ranked wrestler, Matt Mauseth, pinned Pat Ignaszewski in 1:16.

No. 1-ranked Matt Morris earned a technical fall at 160, third-ranked Taylor Ignaszewski

pinned his opponent in 3:14 and No. 10 Bradon Reyerson was a 9-0 winner at 189. Ethan Reed won by pin at heavyweight for the Tigers.

&8220;The kids wrestled well and I was happy with their performance,&8221; Albert Lea head coach Larry Goodnature said.

Albert Lea 55, Mayo 15

103 &045; Cody Hansen (AL) pinned Marcus Wolf 1:33, 112 &045; Tim Aldrich (AL) pinned Aaron Martinson 1:30, 119 &045; Mike Minske (M) dec. Trevor Rasmussen 8-4, 125 &045; Logan Kortan (AL) dec. Aaron Carlson 6-2, 130 &045; Eric Johnson (AL) pinned Shawn Millard :13, 135 &045; Colton Remakel (AL) won by forfeit, 140 &045; Adam Kermes (AL) dec. John Kelly 6-0, 145 &045; Zach McGinnis (AL) dec. Ryan Ihrke 8-7, 152 &045; Matt Mauseth (M) pinned Pat Ignaszewski 1:16, 160 &045; Matt Morris (AL) tech. fall over Zach Hansen 21-5, 171 &045; Taylor Ignaszewski (AL) pinned Jake Minske 3:14, 189 &045; Bradon Reyerson (AL) maj. dec. Cory Black 9-0, 215 &045; Dan Bjorkstrund (M)

pinned Jordan Holland 1:59, 285 &045; Ethan Reed (AL) pinned Kevin Kimlinger 4:48