The Albert Lea cross country team began its season Friday at the St. Olaf Showcase in Northfield.

“I was proud of our efforts,” Albert Lea head coach Jim Haney said. “We now have a baseline on where are and what we need to do to get better.”

Out of 27 teams, the Albert Lea boys’ team finished 20th. Caleb Troe led the Tigers in 18:16.4 for 49th place. Jackson Goodell finished less than 10 seconds later in 57th place.

The Albert Lea girls’ team finished in 23rd place out of 26 teams. Emma Behling and Haley Harms finished in the top 100. Behling took 38th in 16:50.8, and Harms finished 93rd in 17:57.1.

“I was very happy with the running of Emma and Caleb,” Haney said. “Both runners made great strides over the summer and were dedicated to the summer running program.”

Haney also mentioned that the sophomore group of Troe, Goodell, Herbie Lein, Jay Skaar and Elisa Staat stepped up at the varsity level.

Jacob McDermott of Cretin-Derham Hall took first place in 16:32.5 for the boys and Bailey Ness of East Ridge won the girls’ race in 14:52.4.

Next, Albert Lea will compete at Faribault at 4 p.m. Friday.

 

Boys’ cross country

Albert Lea at St. Olaf High School Showcase

1. Chanhassen 147

2. Totino Grace 147

3. Red Wing 167

20. Albert Lea 523

Albert Lea individuals

49. Caleb Troe 18:16.4; 57. Jackson Goodell 18:24.4; 112. Brandon Bonnerup 19:06.7; 145. Corde Purdie 19:45.5; 160. Herbie Lein 20:15.1; 161. Jay Skaar 20:15.3; 177. Nikk Christianson 22:09.0

First place: Jacob McDermott of Cretin-Derham Hall 16:32.5

 

 

Girls’ cross country 

Albert Lea at St. Olaf High School Showcase

1. East Ridge 70

2. Chanhassen 79

3. Mounds View 193

23. Albert Lea 521

Albert Lea individuals

38. Emma Behling 16:50.8; 93. Haley Harms 17:57.1; 118. Morgan Haney 18:25.6; 133. Elisa Staat 18:54; 139. Carol Lein 19:07; 140. Hanna Kingstrom 19:09.6; Anna Englin 19:25.9

First place: Bailey Ness of East Ridge 14:52.4