For the Tribune

AUSTIN – The Albert Lea High School boys’ swimming and diving team finished a strong fourth out of 11 schools in Saturday’s Austin Packer Invitational.

Monday, January 07, 2002

AUSTIN – The Albert Lea High School boys’ swimming and diving team finished a strong fourth out of 11 schools in Saturday’s Austin Packer Invitational.

Maple Grove won with 489 points, followed by Rochester Mayo/Century with 380, Mason City 354, Albert Lea 224.5, Austin 171.5, Northfield 168, Rochester John Marshall 143, Mankato East 122.5, Park Center 110, Owatonna 83.5 and Mankato West 79.

The young Tigers showed good balance, scoring in every event except diving.

Albert Lea’s top individual place was sixth, by freshman Ethan Berg in the 100-yard freestyle; he was seventh in the 100 backstroke. Ben Schreiber took sixth in the 100 breaststroke. Mitch Johnson was seventh in both the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle.

The Tigers were third in the 400 freestyle relay, fourth in the 200 freestyle relay and fifth in the 200 medley relay.

Other ALHS places: Ben Lindeman, eighth, 500 free and 10th, 200 free; Colton Jensen, 11th, 500 free and 15th, 200 free; Ryan Lowe, 15th, 100 free and 16th, 50 free; Ben Matheson, 10th, 100 breast and 14th, 200 individual medley; Justin Elwood, ninth, 100 butterfly and 16th, 200 IM; Josh Elwood, 10th, 100 butterfly; Schreiber, 12th, 200 IM.

The Tigers are off until Thursday, when they host Rochester Mayo in a 6 p.m. Big Nine dual meet.