After near misses in the state cross country meet in the fall Albert Lea runners Ethan Marquardt and Chrissy Monson were awarded the medals they have sought since the beginning of the season.

For Marquardt the moment on the podium was a fitting gesture as his hard work and years of persistence were recognized in front a large crowd at Hamline University Friday at the Class 2A state track and field meet.

“He just missed getting a medal (at the state cross country meet),” said Albert Lea boys’ track team head coach Lisa Deyak said. “I know that was one of his goals so I think it feels good to finally have one of those pieces of hardware.”

Running in the finals of the 3,200-meter race, Marquardt acclimated himself to the competition and turned in a personal-best time of 9 minutes, 28.68 seconds, to place seventh. The time was 4 seconds faster than his previous best which he set at the Section 1AA meet last week in Lakeville.

“These kinds of races everyone is here to win and not to get a certain time or anything,” Marquardt said. “It’s a race of winners here and we all race like it.”

Wayzata’s Jeremy Drenckhan won the event with a time of 9:18.46 as he chased down Rosemount’s Chris Massey down the stretch.

Marquardt started the race toward the back and slowly worked his way through the field when he found the opportunity.

“I took some advice and stayed on the outside of the turns,” he said. “It’s pretty flat and it’s easier to go around people there.”

He moved into ninth place by the middle of the race and found his way into seventh place quickly. Marty Joyce, of Woodbury, challenged Marquardt during the final lap, but in the final 200 meters Marquardt pulled away.

Marquardt’s seventh-place finish is one he shares with his coach for the past four seasons, Lon Nelson. Nelson has become more than a coach for Marquardt — he’s more of a mentor.

“It all came together today and I couldn’t be happier,” said Nelson, who celebrated his 63rd birthday Friday.

Monson was able to make up for a disappointing state cross country meet with a seventh-place finish in the 3,200.

The Albert Lea eighth-grader made a strong statement in her first trip to the state track and field meet. Monson shattered her previous personal best in the event by 15 seconds, turning in a time of 11:07.39.

“This is an unnerving place especially when you’re an eighth-grader,” said Tiger girls’ track head coach Margo Wayne. “She just handled everything like a pro.”

Monson didn’t jump out to the lead pack like she has throughout much of the season, but she also didn’t get boxed in during the race.

“From what happened here I couldn’t imagine anything better from this meet,” said Monson, who cut 40 seconds from her season-opening time.

It’s easy to forget that Monson is in just her second varsity season and these trips to state could very well become an annual event with more decorations coming her way.