The Albert Lea boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed with over 50 squads Friday at the St. Olaf Showcase in Northfield.

The boys’ team took 17th place out of 29 teams, and the girls’ team finished 16th out of 26 teams.

“I am so proud of these kids because of their hard work and determination, as they ran against some of the top competition in the state,” said Albert Lea coach Jim Haney.

The boys’ race featured 674 runners, and Albert Lea had three in the top 100. Jackson Goodell completed the course in 17 minutes, 35.1 seconds to lead the way in 22nd place. Caleb Troe took 27th place with a time of 17:43.2 and Jay Skaar took 97th place with a time of 18:45.4.

“This was the biggest meet of the season by volumes of runners, and to have my top runners in the top fourth of the race I am so proud of what they have been able to accomplish.”

The girls’ race had 517 runners, and five Tigers cracked the top 100.

Brianna Himmerich led the way in 61st place with a time of 17:21.6. Hanna Kingstrom was 82 in 17:38.1; Autumn Muilenburg was 83rd in 17:38.9; Haley Harms was 85th in 17:41.6; and Emily Ortiz was 99th in 17:52.3.

Haney said Himmerich is taking a leadership role and had an impressive summer of training. He also noted that Muilenburg’s shoe was pulled off by another runner in the first 400 meters of the race, and she ran the next 2.4 miles with only one shoe.

“What great heart and character she demonstrated,” he said.

Next, Albert Lea will compete at 4 p.m. Friday at Faribault.

Statistics are in the Scoreboard: Aug. 29 post.