WASECA &045; Unlike previous recent matches, the Albert Lea High School wrestling team was not missing four starters for Saturday’s Don Eustice Memorial Tournament at Waseca.

Yet another injury brought the total to five.

The Tigers performed well anyway, taking second to a Scott County West team that’s rated No. 6 in the state in Class AA.

Scott West won with 247 points, followed by Albert Lea with 177.5, Waseca 161.5, Mankato West 154.5, NRHEG 105.5, Hayfield 79, Redwood Valley 74 and JWP 72.

&uot;We came back from Thursday’s loss, had a good practice Friday, and on Saturday we came to wrestle,&uot; said ALHS coach Larry Goodnature. &uot;It’s still early in the season, but I’ve already seen a lot of improvement in our technique and our intensity. We’re looking good.&uot;

While Scott West had the most finalists with nine, the Tigers topped the tourney with five champions.

Finishing first, winning all three of their matches, were Zach Hansen, 103 pounds; Josh Hansen, 112; Adam Elseth, 140; Dustin Eggum, 152; and Chris Hable, heavyweight.

Neal Underdahl placed second at 135. Other Albert Lea places: Matt Morris, sixth, 119; Alex Hansen, fifth, 125; Nate Goodnature, fourth, 130; Cory Frerk, sixth, 160; Mike Honeycutt, sixth, 189; Randy Larson, fifth, 215.

&uot;Josh and Adam stayed on their winning ways,&uot; said Coach Goodnature. &uot;The guys who really had an excellent day were Zach Hansen, Nate Goodnature and Neal Underdahl.

Underdahl upset the No. 2 seed to reach the finals.

&uot;Neal showed a lot of improvement Saturday and really put together a nice tournament to get second,&uot; said Goodnature.

Eggum knocked off the top two seeds, including a No. 3 rated wrestler from Scott West, before winning 10-5 in overtime in the finals.

&uot;It was the best tournament I’ve ever seen Dustin wrestle,&uot; said Goodnature. &uot;He wrestled with intensity all day in every one of his matches.&uot;

Hable also had an impressive win, pinning a No. 6 rated opponent from Scott West in the finals.

The Albert Lea junior varsity won the championship in a dual-meet format.

The Tigers travel to Northfield Thursday for a double-dual with Northfield and Lakeville. They host Mankato West in a Big Nine meet Friday.