Against squads from beyond the state border, the Albert Lea wrestling team had three place winners in its first individual tournament of the season.

Garrett Aldrich, Zach Glazier and Triston Westerlund led the Tigers Saturday at the Christmas Tournament at Rochester Technical and Community College.

“I always feel like this tournament is tougher than state,” said Albert Lea coach Larry Goodnature. “Along with the top teams in Minnesota for all classes, it brings teams from North Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.”

Aldrich, ranked No. 1 in the Guillotine’s Class AA polls at 113 pounds, was seeded No. 2 at 120, and he took second place. He faced Jared Franek of West Fargo, N.D., in the championship match and showed improvement from last season.

“Garrett lost to him twice last year — at this tournament and the Rumble on the Red — by a fall and a major decision,” Goodnature said. “This time it was 4-3.”

Glazier and Westerlund improved on their seeds to take fifth place.

At 106 pounds, Glazier was seeded eighth and posted a 5-2 record to move up three spots. Westerlund was seeded sixth at 220 pounds and moved up one spot in what Goodnature said was a very tough weight class.

Dereck Samudio finished 3-2 at 152 pounds. An overtime loss kept him one match away from placing, Goodnature said. At 145 pounds, Santana Acosta also went 3-2.

Other Albert Lea wrestlers who competed at the tournament were Gavin Ignaszewski, 126 pounds (1-2); Beau Johnsrud, 132 (2-2); Blake Simon, 138 (1-2); Chris Nelson, 160 (1-2); Parker Mullenbach, 170 (0-2); and Dominick Fadden, 195 (1-2).

“It’s a good tournament to find where we’re at,” Goodnature said. “A lot of these kids aren’t only ranked in the state, they’re ranked in the nation. It’s one of the tougher tournaments in the U.S.”

Goodnature said individuals from 34 teams competed, and it helps the team prepare for the section and state tournaments because the format is the same.

Next, wrestlers from Albert Lea will compete with individuals from 70 teams at the Rumble on the Red tournament on Jan. 2 and 3 in Fargo, N.D.