Albert Lea’s Chrissy Monson got another shot at the state meet Saturday and she proved her mettle.

After falling three spots shy of all-state recognition at last year’s meet because of a fall, Monson got a true glimpse of how she compared to the rest of the competition. Monson placed 12th, running with the lead pack for the majority of the race and earned all-state honors with a time of 15 minutes, 13.6 seconds at the Class AA meet at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

“It’s nice to know I can compete and be right up with them,” Monson said. “It was really fun that I got to be all-state and that’s something that I earned and worked for.”

The year of experience and the lesson learned at last year’s meet helped Monson at this year’s meet and she was able to avoid any possibility of colliding with another runner.

“She followed the plan to get where she wouldn’t get crowded and knocked over like she did,” said Tigers assistant cross country coach Lonnie Nelson.

Monson said she started the race a little too fast and she lost some ground, but it was only temporary as she was able to make up the positions she lost.

Monson had the best finish for a Section 1AA runner and beat Lakeville North’s Taylor Perkins, the Section 1AA champion, by 26 seconds.

“Everyone is extremely proud of her,” said Tigers cross country head coach Jim Haney. “She ran like a champion.”

Monson may have something else to strive for next season after she finished four spots out of medaling (the top eight runners receive medals).