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Freshman Gavin Hanke finished the race with a time of 17:19.5 and in 28th place. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Sophomore Karime Ponciano runs in the Big Nine Conference meet Thursday in Owatonna. Ponciano finished the race in 55th place with a time of 21:49.2. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Junior Jaiden Venem came in 76th place with a time of 23:08.7. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Junior Aaron Bauers came in 43rd place with a time of 17:40.0. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea freshman Joey Maiden came in 61st place with a time of 22:02.3. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea senior Sonny Ortega-Roseli was the top finisher for Albert Lea, coming in 15th place with a time of 16:55.4. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea cross country teams run in conference meet in Owatonna

OWATONNA — The Albert Lea boys’ and girls’ cross country teams traveled to Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna on Tuesday afternoon to compete in the Big Nine Conference meet.

The youthful girls’ team continued to improve on individual times, coming in 12th place, while the boys’ team capitalized on its upperclassmen experience to finish in sixth place.

Senior Sonny Ortega-Roseli was the top finisher for the boys. Ending in 15th place overall, Ortega-Roseli ran a time of 16:55.4. The lone freshman on the boys’ team, Gavin Hanke, came in 28th place with a time of 17:19.5.

Rounding out the top five for the Tigers were senior Sam Louters in 33rd place with a time of 17:28.6, junior Logan Barr in 39th place with a time of 17:35.6 and senior Khan Mut in 41st place with a time of 17:38.0.

Taking home the boys’ individual championship was Winona senior Carter Briggs with a time of 15:44.9.

As a team, the Tigers scored 156 points, 38 points behind fourth-place finisher Owatonna. Rochester Century won the meet with a score of 81.

In the girls’ race, seventh grader Shelby Evans continued to show why she deserves a spot on the varsity roster by finishing as the fastest time for Albert Lea in 44th place with a time of 21:26.3. Sophomore Karime Ponciano finished in 55th place with a time of 21:49.2.

Rounding out the top five for Albert Lea were freshman Joey Maiden in 61st place with a time of 22:02.3, freshman Jaira Maligaya in 68th place with a time of 22:27.5 and seventh grader Mya Hanke in 73rd place with a time of 22:58.7.

Red Wing senior Grace Johnson won the Big Nine crown with a time of 19:01.8.

As a team, the Tigers scored 301 points, only 15 behind Rochester John Marshall. Red Wing won the team title with 76 points.

The Tigers now have about a week-long break before the section meet Oct. 24, also in Owatonna.

About Tyler Julson

Tyler Julson covers sports for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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