The Albert Lea boys’ swimming team cut into a 44-point deficit with the last three events at home, but Austin prevailed 94-75 Thursday.

The Tigers won five of 12 events.

Derek Wagner led Albert Lea by winning two events. He took first place in the 200-yard individual medley by 2.98 seconds with a time of 2:12.17. He also won the 100-yard backstroke in 58.94 seconds to win by more than six seconds.

Albert Lea’s Preston Smith was the only swimmer to break 1 minute in the 100-yard butterfly. He completed the race in 57.47 seconds.

Aaron Zogg won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:17.47, and the 400-yard medley relay team of Daniel Gould, Andrew Field, Travis Nemec and Wagner won the 400-yard freestyle relay in 4:04.22.

The meet was Albert Lea’s first action of the season. Next, the Tigers compete Thursday at Owatonna, and Albert Lea will host its 14-team invitational Dec. 14. Diving will start at 10 a.m., and swimming will begin at 1 p.m.