The Albert Lea boys’ and girls’ track and field teams were the only area squads to compete in the rain Thursday evening in a dual with Austin.

The Albert Lea girls’ team beat Austin 76-61, and the Albert Lea boys lost 82-55.

If the meet would have been canceled or postponed for the second time, the teams would have had practice outside in the rain anyway, Albert Lea girls’ track and field head coach Margo Wayne said.

“We need the competition,” she said. “I think the girls are gaining some confidence in themselves and in their teammates. It’s going to help us down the road.”

Despite the conditions, Wayne said the team has upheld a positive attitude.

“It’s been a horrendous spring, but they’ve never complained,” she said. “They’re eager to do what they do when they get the opportunity.”

The Albert Lea girls’ team earned nine first-place finishes.

Chrissy Monson excelled in distance and middle-distance races by winning the 1,600- and 800-meter runs. Bryn Woodside earned first place in the 400-meter dash, and Larissa Hacker took the top spot in the 300-meter hurdles. The Tigers also won three relays.

In field events, Sydney Rehnelt won the long jump, and Hanna DeVries won the shot put.

The Albert Lea boys’ team was led by sprinting duo Tate Tufte and Eli Malimanek. Tufte won the 100-meter dash, and Malimanek took first in the 200.

Preston Smith earned first place in the 300-meter hurdles. Isaac Ware led the Tigers with their only first-place finish in a field event. Ware won the high jump with a leap of 5-4.

The distance duo of Brandon Bonnerup and Caleb Troe also earned impressive finishes. Bonnerup took third in the 1,600-meter run, and Troe finished third in the 3,200-meter run.

Next, the Albert Lea girls’ and boys’ teams host a triangular against Rochester Jon Marshall and Rochester Mayo at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.