FARIBAULT – As expected, the Faribault Falcons flew high above the field in the Big Nine boys’ swimming and diving meet.

Tuesday, February 12, 2002

FARIBAULT – As expected, the Faribault Falcons flew high above the field in the Big Nine boys’ swimming and diving meet.

The battle for second was won by Albert Lea.

The Tigers nipped Rochester Century for the runner-up spot as favored Faribault won with 407 points in its home pool Saturday. Albert Lea had 288 points, followed by Century with 283, Rochester Mayo 218, Mankato West 191.5, Austin 185, Rochester John Marshall 184, Mankato East 174, Winona 139.5 and Owatonna 129.

Balance and depth were keys for the Tigers, who were no lower than third in a relay and placed in every swimming event.

&uot;It was an excellent performance,&uot; said Tigers coach Jon Schmitz. &uot;We did everything we needed to do to beat the Rochester schools and take second. We tried to go for the title, but Faribault would have had to make some mistakes in order for us to move on them, and that didn’t happen. Basically, we swam the best we could.&uot;

Sophomore Mitch Johnson was the Tigers’ top scorer and only gold medalist, winning the 200-yard freestyle in 1:51.77. He also took a bronze in the 100 freestyle, where he was third in 51.29 seconds.

Johnson teamed with Ben Lindeman, Ethan Berg and Justin Elwood for second in the 400 freestyle relay, clocking 3:29.88.

Ryan Lowe, Ben Schreiber, Berg and Justin Elwood were third in the 200 medley relay in 1:49.98. Lowe, Lindeman, Johnson and Ben Matheson took third in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:36.35.

Other Albert Lea places: Schreiber, third, 100 breast, 1:06.76 and eighth, 200 individual medley, 2:17.78; Lindeman, fourth, 200 free, 1:57.13 and fifth, 500 free, 5:24.84; Colton Jensen, fourth, 500 free, 5:23.19 and sixth, 200 free, 1:58.58; Berg, sixth, 50 free, 24.02 and 11th, 100 back, 1:03.10; Matheson, sixth, 100 breast, 1:08.94 and ninth, 200 IM, 2:18.29; Justin Elwood, ninth, 100 butterfly, 1:03.93 and 12th, 50 free, 24.87; Josh Elwood, 11th, 100 butterfly, 1:04.64 and 14th, 500 free, 5:46.32; Chris Jackson, 13th, 100 breast, 1:12.08; Lowe, 16th, 50 free, 24.97; Chris Borge, 16th, 100 back, 1:07.56.

The Tigers’ next competition is the Section 1A meet Feb. 21 and 23 at Inver Grove Heights.

&uot;We’re looking at taking a lot of guys to state,&uot; said Schmitz. &uot;This is a good team. They’ve improved throughout the year and are reaping the benefits of all their hard work right now.&uot;