In the Albert Lea cross country team’s second meet of the season, the Tigers competed with more than 1,000 runners on 53 teams.

“We ran against some of the top teams in the state, and we battled those teams to the best of our ability,” said Albert Lea coach Jim Haney. “I’m very proud of the way my runners handled a very difficult course and weather conditions.”

Albert Lea’s boys’ squad took 16th place out of 29 teams, and the girls’ took 22nd out of 24 teams Friday at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

Out of 653 runners in the boys’ race, the Tigers produced two top 100 finishers: freshmen Carson Goodell and Leo Olveda.

Goodell finished 18th with a time of 18:04.0; Olveda was 95th in 19:26.0.

“I was especially happy with how my younger runners stepped up and pushed for a varsity spot,” Haney said.

Red Wing finished seventh to post the top team finish of the five Big Nine Conference schools that competed. Winona finished 14th. Albert Lea finished above No. 17 Owatonna and No. 19 Mankato West.

“I wanted to challenge the boys, and they accepted the challenge,” Haney said. “I look for continued improvement, and these young men will step up to the challenge.”

In the 471-participant girls’ field, Quinn Peterson led the Tigers with 81st place in 23.23.2. Hannah Savelkoul followed in 117th place with a time of 24.56.0.

“These girls have made great strides in two races,” Haney said. “I look forward to them to continue to pack up and push each other.”

The girls’ race was extended this year from 4K to 5K.

“They’ve been able to handle the new race distance and are learning the new race strategy of 5,000 meters,” Haney said.

The Tigers will compete at 4 p.m. Friday at North Alexander Park in Faribault.