Producing the top eight finishers in the boys’ 800-meter run and a gold and silver in the girls’ 100 wasn’t enough to propel either of Albert Lea’s track and field teams past Austin.

The Tigers fell 83-62 in the boys’ division, and the girls lost 116-28 Friday at Austin’s Larry Gilbertson Track.

 

Albert Lea boys win 9 events

Despite the loss, Albert Lea’s boys’ team found success by winning five open races, two relays and two field events.

Jackson Goodell led the Tigers with gold in two events: the 800 in 2:12.30 and the 1,600 in 4:48.94. In the 800, he finished 0.99 seconds in front of teammate Tyler Anderson, who took silver. The 1,600 wasn’t as close. Goodell crossed the finish line 22.05 seconds before the second-place finisher.

Fellow distance runner Caleb Troe won the 3,200 in 10:20.45, which was two seconds faster than his time in the team’s season opener on March 31 at Faribault, according to Albert Lea coach Kevin Gentz.

“That was phenomenal,” Gentz said. “He’s come out running very well, not just physically but mentally as well.”

Troe added a time of 2:04 as his split for the 4×800-meter relay team, Gentz said, which was about eight seconds faster than meet’s fastest runner in the open 800.

Troe worked in the offseason to shave seconds from his best times as part of Albert Lea’s cross country team in the fall and the swimming team in the winter.

“I talked to some of his swimming coaches, and they said he was the hardest worker they had,” Gentz said. “We were just glad he went out for it to stay in shape.”

Colton Mowers won the 100 in 11.69 seconds to go with his second-place finish in the 200.

Matt Nemec took first place in the discus with a throw of 129 feet, 8 1/2 inches. He also finished fourth in the shot put with a toss of 37-11 1/2.

Albert Lea’s Jeremy Sekora placed in the top four of three events. He won the high jump with a leap of 5-4, took third in the triple jump with a leap of 35-4 1/2 and finished fourth in the 200 with a time of 25.90 seconds.

William Kozelsky won the 400 in 57.14 seconds.

Relays the Tigers won were the 4×400 and 4×800.

Despite the cold weather, Gentz said his team was in high spirits.

“I was happy to come away from a day like today seeing an enormous number of kids with smiles on their faces and a strong commitment to running,” he said.

Next, Albert Lea will compete at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Rochester Mayo. The Tigers’ first of two home meets will be at 4:30 p.m. April 21 against Faribault and Red Wing. The second home meet will be at 4:30 p.m. April 28 against Austin and Red Wing.

 

Girls find success in sprints

The Albert Lea girls’ team won two events and finished as the runner-up in five.

“We were just excited to get out and have an outdoor meet,” said Albert Lea coach Margo Wayne.

Becca Dup led the Tigers by winning the 100 in 13.33 seconds and taking second in the 200 in 28.69 seconds.

Along with her fourth-place finish in the 200, Albert Lea’s Dora Ogunkanbi finished 0.29 seconds behind Dup to take second in the 100.

“The 100 was one of our highlights,” Wayne said.

The Tigers’ other event winner was Riley Schulz. She took gold in the 800 in 2:44.79.

Albert Lea had five second-place finishes including Dup in the 200 and Ogunkanbi in the 100. The other runners-up were Sarah DeHaan in the 400 with a time of 1:13.02; Breanna Himmerich in the 3,200, 13:22.23; and Alexis Rothmeier in the pole vault, 6-0.

Because the meet was rescheduled from Thursday, Albert Lea some team members who were unable to attend because of a jazz band concert.

“We lost a few athletes who had previous commitments, but we understand that,” Wayne said.

Next, the Tigers will compete at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Rochester Mayo.

Albert Lea’s only home meet will be 4:30 p.m. May 12 against Winona and Mankato East.