MONTICELLO &045; Although they didn’t bring home a lot of medals, the Albert Lea High School wrestlers were more than respectable in the Minnesota Christmas Tournament at Monticello Saturday.

The Tigers finished 12th among 32 teams in what has been called the toughest individual tournament in the nation. Three Albert Lea boys placed in the top eight.

Defending state champion and perennial power Apple Valley won with 214 points, with Simley second at 194. The Tigers had 88 points.

Adam Elseth was Albert Lea’s top finisher, winning four of five matches to take second at 140 pounds. Josh Hansen was 3-2 while finishing fourth at 112. Zach Hansen took sixth at 103, going 3-2.

For the day, the Tigers won 25 matches and lost 28.

The Tigers’ other wrestlers and their record for the day: 119, Matt Morris, 2-2; 125, Alex Hansen, 1-2; 130, Nate Goodnature, 2-2; 135, Neal Underdahl, 2-2; 145, Adam Morreim, 1-2; 152, Dustin Eggum, 0-2; 160, Cory Frerk, 3-2; 171, Jared Butler, 0-2; 189, Mike Honeycutt, 1-2; 215, Randy Larson, 202; 275, Chris Hable, 202.

The Tigers resume their season Friday, Jan. 3 with a home meet against Faribault.

2002 Minnesota Christmas Tournament Team standings: Apple Valley 214, Simley 194, Centennial 151, Scott West 117, Elk River 107, Bismarck (N.D.) 104, Forest Lake 100 1/2, Anoka 97, Medford 92, St. James 92, St. Michael-Albertville 88 1/2, Albert Lea 88, Cambridge-Isanti 83 1/2, Bloomington Kennedy 82, Stillwater Area 80 1/2, Coon Rapids 76 1/2, Waconia/Mayer Lutheran 76, Hudson (Wis.) 76, Wabasha-Kellogg 71 1/2, Hastings 69, Stewartville 66, Burnsville and Glencoe-Silver Lake 64, Rosemount 56, St. Francis 55 1/2, Dassel-Cokato 49, Champlin Park 41, Woodbury 39, Rocori 29, St. Cloud Tech 28 1/2, Jackson County Central 28, Monticello 20

Individual champions: 103-Zack Bigboy, Bloomington Kennedy. 112-Jayson Ness, Bloomington Kennedy. 119-Eric Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg. 125- Travis Lang, Bismarck (N.D.). 130-R. Stockert, Bismarck (N.D.). 135-Jestin Hulegaard, Anoka. 140-Michael Fessler, Apple Valley. 145-Phil McMullen, St. James. 152-Mitch Kuhlman, Medford. 160–Kyle Anderson, Simley. 171-George Lynaugh, Simley. 189-Jared Massey, Centennial. 215-Kyle Massey, Centennial. Hwt-Trevor Laws, Apple Valley.