WINONA &045; Times are down, attitudes are up, progress is evident.

That’s the report from Albert Lea High School cross country coach Jim Haney, whose young Tigers finished 11th in the varsity divisions in Saturday’s Winona Invitational.

&uot;I am very pleased with the progress in all divisions,&uot; said Haney. &uot;The great thing about the times is that the runners are not satisfied with the results &045; they want to continue to get better. It is the attitude of trying to get better that will help make us more competitive in the Big Nine and section.&uot;

The ALHS boys had 255 points for 11th place, defeating Hayfield. Winona won with 43. The Tigers’ varsity places and times: Levi Budd, 22nd, 18:03; Josh Anderson, 33rd, 18:29; Andrew Irvine, 56th, 19:29; Brock Sorenson, 68th, 20:07; Eric Elleby, 76th, 21:37.

&uot;Overall I was pleased with the varsity boys,&uot; said Haney. &uot;They are getting better each week and are showing the competitive spirit needed to do well.&uot;

The boys’ junior varsity was seventh among eight teams. ALHS places: Casey Ciffra, 32nd, 21:43; Eric Bowron, 34th, 21:56; Steve Stenholz, 42nd, 23:20; Matt VanFossen, 49th, 26:12; Drew Klick, 50th, 26:17.

The ALHS girls’ 255 points left them last among 11 varsity teams. Winona Cotter won with 67. Rochester Century had 69, Winona 78.

ALHS places and times: Anna Keesling, 38th, 18:11; Paige Seadlund, 41st, 18:20; Mallory King, 52nd, 18:51; Amy Leach, 58th, 19:06; Amber Flategraff, 66th, 20:42.

&uot;The girls are running together and making the team better by the competitive spirit they have,&uot; said Haney. &uot;They are great kids with a great future.&uot;

The Tiger girls were fourth out of six JV squads. Places: Alyssa Keesling, 21st, 20:26; Kyra Dannaker, 22nd, 20:36; Tara Helgerson, 23rd, 20:37; Marta Behling, 26th, 21:02; Ziva Dannaker, 31st, 21:44.

The Tigers run Thursday in the Northfield Invitational.

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)