Two area cross country runners are headed to the state meet after placing in the top 10 Thursday of their respective section races.

Chrissy Monson, of Albert Lea, and T.J. Schiltz, of New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, will run next in the state meet on Nov. 5 at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

United South Central’s individual cross country results were unknown as of press time.

Monson will be returning to the state meet for the fourth consecutive season after placing eighth in the Section 1AA meet in Owatonna. Monson finished the race in 14 minutes and 52.4 seconds, cracking the top 10 by more than 10 seconds.

“Chrissy had one of her strongest races of the season and the coaching staff is proud of her efforts,” Tigers coach Jim Haney said. “She is the embodiment of a champion, she understands the commitment and dedication are earmarks for being a champion and she has dedicated herself to those goals.”

Monson helped the girls’ team to a seventh-place finish in the 16-team section. Haley Harms finished second for the Tigers in 22nd place overall and dropped 15 seconds of her Big Nine Conference meet time ran just a week ago.

“She will be a force to deal with in the future,” Haney said. “She continues to compete and improve at a high level. She had a remarkable season.”

Rounding out the top five for the Tigers was Riley Schultz, Morgan Haney and Rachel Kenis. All three runners ran personal bests.

Emma Behling and Ashley Tewes finished sixth, and seventh, respectively. Tewes was the lone Tigers senior to finish in the top seven.

“She will be graduating and she has been a valuable member of the team,” Haney said. “She has dropped her time and demonstrated great leadership for the younger girls.”

The Tigers boys’ team finished in last place, 16th overall, and were led by Luc Malimanek who finished 47th overall in 17:24.92. Malimanek dropped 20 seconds off his Big Nine time.

“The boys ran a tough race,” Haney said. “I believe they are not satisfied with the team place, and I know they will take with themselves that they did achieve the goals they set out during the season.”

Rounding out the top five were Blair Bonnerup, Brandon Bonnerup, Isaac Staat and Jay Skaar. Sergio Chavez and Andy Christian finished sixth and seventh, respectively. Staat was the only senior in the top seven.

“I have great runners on the team,” Haney said. “The biggest improvement I have seen is the runners have become racers.”

NRHEG’s T.J. Schiltz finished fifth overall in the Section 2A race in 17:05.

“Schiltz has had a tremendous season thus far,” Panthers coach Mike Weber said. “He has lowered the NRHEG cross country record and won several races. But tonight all the work T.J. has done came to fruition.”

Weber said Schiltz started and finished the race strong.

“T.J. hit the gas on the final turn and didn’t look back,” Weber said.

Section 1AA meet

Boys’ race

Albert Lea results

47. Luc Malimanek 17:24.92

72. Blair Bonnerup 17:55.86

87. Brandon Bonnerup 18:16.63

90. Isaac Staat 18:25.39

92. Jay Skaar 18:27.19

94. Sergio Chavez 18:29.77

103. Andy Christian 18:50.93

Girls’ race

Albert Lea results

1. Chrissy Monson 14:52.40

22. Haley Harms 15:34.80

53. Riley Schulz 15:59.90

63. Morgan Haney 16:10.80

65. Rachel Kenis 16:11.50

69. Emma Behling 16:19.60

97. Ashley Tewes 17:09.90

Section 2A meet

Boys’ race

1. Waseca 58

2. Martin County West 101

3. Madelia/Truman 108

4. Maple River 123

5. St. James 124

6. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 215

7. Fairmont 230

8. Blue Earth Area 254

9. United South Central 254

10. Mankato Loyola 264

11. Montgomery-Lonsdale 270

12. St. Peter 271

13. LeSueur-Henderson 284

14. LCWM/Nicollet 286

15. Minnesota Valley Lutheran 407

16. WEM/JWP 446

17. NRHEG 463

18. Sibley East 464

19. Medford 496

20. St. Mary’s/SE/NUC 614

NRHEG results

5. T.J. Schiltz 17:05

101. Jade Waltz 20:15

110. Raece Johnson 20:56

122. Tyler Holz 21:44

125. Gunther Olson 22:18

131. Dustin Burshem 23:26

Girls’ race

1. Waseca 74

2. United South Central 86

3. Martin County West 122

4. Blue Earth Area 133

5. Fairmont 135

6. Mankato Loyola 204

7. WEM/JWP 220

8. St. James 226

9. LCWM/Nicollet 261

10. Sibley East 262

11. Montomery-Lonsdale 281

12. Madelia/Truman 285

13. St. Mary’s/SE/NUC 268

14. St. Peter 410

15. Minnesota Valley Lutheran 412

16. Medford 416

17. NRHEG 425

18. LeSueur-Henderson 426

NRHEG results

45. Katharine Lewer 17:14

79. Melissa Malakowsky 18:34

88. Shantaya Olson 19:08

92. Crystal Olson 19:22

118. Kimberly Narvaez 22:17