Albert Lea runs at Faribault

Published 1:51 pm Saturday, September 12, 2015

Nikk Christianson, left, and Herbie Lein of the Albert Lea cross country team compete Friday at Faribault. — Kathie Lein/For the Albert Lea Tribune

Nikk Christianson, left, and Herbie Lein of the Albert Lea cross country team compete Friday at Faribault. — Kathie Lein/For the Albert Lea Tribune

Along with 39 other teams, the Albert Lea boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed Friday at Faribault.

The boys’ team finished 11th out of 19 teams with six top-100 finishers in the 130-runner field, and the girls’ took 20th out of 20 teams with one top-100 finisher in the 139-runner field.

“The runners went out and showed a determination that the coaching staff is trying to instill,” said Tigers coach Jim Haney. “This determined effort led to a drastic reduction in times, which will give the runners more confidence and a better knowledge of how and when to attack in their next race.”

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Albert Lea senior Jackson Goodell led the boys’ team with a time of 16:21.0 for sixth place.

“Jackson had a great race,” Haney said. “He showed an outstanding kick and great pace.”

Carson Goodell, a sophomore and Jackson Goodell’s brother, finished 23rd in 17:03.1. Jay Skaar followed in 79th place in 18:12.2. Also finishing in the top 100 for the Tigers were Nikk Christianson, 90th, 18:28.1; Herbie Lein, 91st, 18:28.6; and Leo Olveda, 100th, 18:44.1.

Of the five teams that competed from the Big Nine Conference, the Tigers beat Mankato West and Faribault. Owatonna edged Albert Lea in 10th place with 274 points, and Winona had the best conference performance with 236 points to take seventh.

Albert Lea’s girls’ team was led by senior Quinn Petersen, who took 77th place in 21:49.2.

“Running in her third cross country race, she is gaining knowledge of how to run and is getting better and stronger at every race,” Haney said. “The coaching staff is proud of all the girls, and the way they handled themselves.”

Grace Chalmers was the second Tigers runner to cross the finish line with a time of 22:47.8 for 106th place. Fran Eckstrom took 118th place in 23:10.8.

“The girls were very happy with their times and will take this effort and continue to build on the lower times in upcoming meets,” Haney said.

Next, Albert Lea will compete at 4 p.m. Thursday at Eastwood Golf Course in Rochester.