An Albert Lea girls’ track and field runner is heading back to state in two events for the third consecutive year.

Chrissy Monson won the Section 1AA 1,600-meter race championship Saturday by over eight seconds. Monson finished the race in 5 minutes and 11.02 seconds. The nearest competitor finished in 5:19.85.

Monson advanced to state in the 3,200-meter race on Thursday after winning by over 22 seconds. The Class AA state girls’ track and field meet is held Friday and Saturday at Hamline University in St. Paul. Monson is the lone Albert Lea athlete who qualified.

Monson finished third at state last spring in the 3,200-meter race in 10:49.61. She finished sixth in the 1,600-meter race in 5:02.58.

Monson will face different types of races at state than she’s been used to this season. After cruising to wins in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races, she’ll encounter tighter, more physical and competitive races in St. Paul.