Bonnerup, Thompson lead Albert Lea

The Albert Lea boys’ and girls’ cross country teams both finished fourth Monday at a six-team Cardinal Invite in Fairmont.

The race was ran during the hot, muggy weather Monday afternoon, and the runners battled 30 miles per hour wind gusts.

“There are no excuses in cross country,” Albert Lea head coach Jim Haney said “We had to battle the elements and learned a great deal about ourselves in a challenging meet. The teams continue to improve and I look for the improvement to continue as we enter October.”

Ninth-grader Blair Bonnerup led the young the young Tigers team, finishing in 18 minutes, 49 seconds. Andy Christian and Steven Kruen were close behind, finishing third and fourth in 18:25 and 18:29, respectively.

Luc and Eli Malimanek rounded the top five.

Bailey Thompson again led the girls’ team, finishing sixth overall in 16:30.

“Thompson had a great race,” Haney said. “She has accepted all challenges and is beginning to gear up for the end of the year big races.”

Alyssa Sager , Emma Behling, Morgan Haney and Shelby Lageson rounded out the girls’ top five.

“All of these girls did a nice job of hanging in against great teams I was proud of their efforts,” Haney said. “They battled the entire race and that is all I can ask of my runners.”

The Albert Lea cross country team races again Saturday in Winona.

Results:

Boys

14. Blair Bonnerup 18:49

19. Andy Christian 19:25

20. Steven Kruen 19:29

26. Luc Malimanek 20:00

32. Eli Malimanek 20:10

48. Brandon Bonnerup 21:35

50. Brandon Ranum 21:38

62. Stuart Behling 22:40

Girls

6. Bailey Thompson 16:30

24. Alyssa Sager 18:34

28. Emma Behling 19:09

29. Morgan Haney 19:36

33. Shelby Lageson 20:47

36. Anabelle Randall 21:11

41. Natalie Peek 22:24

66. Sadie Burnett 23:17

72. Aeron Mangskau 24:02