Albert Lea cross country runner Chrissy Monson is finding herself in the spotlight more frequently this season, and she’d like to have that light shine a little longer this fall.

The freshman runner has gained notice this season with an impressive season. Monson became the Big Nine Conference champion this season and has won six of her nine races. She entered the state rankings as the 12th-rated runner in Class AA this week.

She’s certainly not ready to rest on the accolades and has her sights set on a return to the state meet. Monson will get her chance Thursday at the Section 1AA meet in Owatonna, where she finished second last season.

“I’m really excited about what I’ve done, but this is where it really counts,” Monson said. “I can’t go in there and think I’ve got my trip made — I don’t. I have to work at it to get it just like anyone in the race.”

Getting back to the state meet is a priority, especially following last season’s meet. Monson was out with the lead back at last year’s meet, but an inadvertent elbow set Monson to the ground and she hit her head on a tree. Monson recovered and finished 28th, just missing out on all-state recognition.

“From what happened last year, it’s something that I want to go back and correct,” Monson said. “I want to see how I can do with the rest of the competition.”

Her performance this season would indicate she will fare well if she reaches the state meet once again, especially considering how she performed at the conference meet.

Monson was battling illness leading into the meet. Albert Lea assistant coach Lon Nelson said Monson didn’t know if she’d be able to finish the race, let alone win.

“What she has in her favor is she’s so tenacious when she runs that she’s going to be there right where she needs to be no matter what,” Nelson said. “She just pours herself in the races.”

Monson described it as one of her favorite meets even though it wasn’t one of her best times.

“It was, maybe not the best race time-wise, but it was one to me really proved to myself that I can push through things,” said Monson, who also ran through a cramp that began a half mile into the race.

Albert Lea head coach Jim Haney likes to say Monson runs with the heart of a champion and that is what sets her apart from competitors.

“She has all the physical tools, plus she’s got the mental and the heart that goes with it,” Haney said.

With a young team this season the goal for both the girls’ and boys’ team has been steady improvement and learning how to race. Haney said the goal for the teams is to beat three teams at the meet.