Albert Lea’s Chrissy Monson missed six cross country meets this season recovering from stress fractures in both legs.

That didn’t keep her from defending her title, though, as Monson won her second consecutive Big Nine championship Tuesday at the conference meet in Owatonna.

“I am so happy for Chrissy,” Albert Lea head coach Jim Haney said. “She has dealt with a great deal of adversity this year, but she has handled her injury as a challenge.”

The Tigers girls’ cross country team finished third overall, their highest place in over 12 years.

Monson paced the Tigers, finishing in 14 minutes and 56 1/2 seconds. She was followed closely by Bailey Thompson who finished fifth overall in 15:31.1.

“Thompson had a brilliant effort,” Haney said. “With a great kick at the end, she was able to pass competitors and reach her goal of fifth in the conference.”

Thompson led the Tigers while Monson rehabbed her injury. Since Monson’s return to the varsity lineup on Oct. 7, the two have been a 1-2 punch.

“(Thompson) has been a valuable addition to the team as she has taken a leadership role,” said Haney, of the sophomore. “Now she has set her sights on earning her first trip to the state meet.”

Haney says that Monson is hitting her peak and has her sights set on winning the Section 1AA meet on Oct. 28.

She should have a good chance after beating the Big Nine field by 50 yards.

“(Monson) took over the race at the 3200-meter mark and never looked back,” Haney said.

Monson and Thompson finished with Big Nine All-Conference honors, while Haley Harms, who finished third for the Tigers and 23rd overall, earned Honorable Mention.

“In her second varsity meet she ran an incredible race,” Haney said, of Harms who finished in 16:12.5. “She is marvelous kid who has worked and learned how to race.”

Rounding out the top 5 for the Tigers was Riley Schultz and Rachel Kenis who finished in 32nd and 35 overall, respectively.