The Albert Lea boys’ track and field team kicked off its season on Saturday by placing third of four teams at Minnesota State University in Mankato.

The Tigers recorded 38 points and trailed Mankato East (100) and Marshall (51). Minnesota Valley Lutherna finished fourth with 33 points.

Albert Lea’s Bryce DeBoer placed first in the shot put with a throw of 51 feet and 10 1/4 inches. The 4×400-meter relay team of Isaac Staat, Clayton Bratten, Daniel Mondeel and Sean Laurie also placed first in three minutes and 51 seconds.

“I’m happy with our performances,” Tigers coach Kevin Gentz said. “We have a lot of work to do and a lot of areas for growth. However, we have a great group of athletes that are committed to working hard every day.”

The Tigers’ 4×200 relay team of Taylor Harris, Dylan Anderson, Mondeel and Sam Thompson placed second in 1:44.47, just 2/100 second out of first place. Tyler Wichmann placed second in the long jump at 18 feet, 2 inches, second in the high jump at 5 feet, 8 inches and second in the 60-meter high hurdles in 9.47 seconds.

Brandon Bonnerup and Kasey Habana placed third in the fourth, respectively, in the 1,600-meter run in 5:14.12 and 5:14.22.