Boys X-Country: Tigers 2nd at Pine Island

Senior Tyler Lerbakken finished 12th in 17:56.4

The Tigers scored their highest finish of the 2012 season Tuesday afternoon, placing second among 12 teams at the Pine Island Invitational run at the Pine Island Municipal Golf Course.

Faribault defeated Farmington 61-77 to take home the championship hardware.Kasson-Mantorville placed third at 114, followed by Rochester Lourdes 126, United South Central 141, Zumbrota-Mazeppa/Kenyon-Wanamingo 172, Kingsland 179, Pine Island 219, Cannon Falls 224, Chatfield 233, Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson 251 and Stewartville 285.

"We were hoping to beat Faribault as we beat them last week at Lakeville," Farmington coach Lisa Lippold said. "Some runners had a good race and some not so great."

Tiger sophomore Justin Hyytinen again ranked among meet leaders, finishing third overall in a time of 16:53.1 over the 5000-meter route. Seniors Adam Wallenta and Tyler Lerbakken were the next two Tigers in the chute, ranking 11th and 12th place respectively. Wallenta checked in at 17:54.2 and Lerbakken 17:56.4.

Junior Sean Dougherty (25th; 18:27.8) and freshman Alex Hart (26th; 18:30.2) rounded out the Farmington top five.

Senior Caleb Eiffert (34th; 18:48) and freshman Josh Grimm (35th; 18:56.6) completed the varsity scorecard.
 
Lerbakken dropped 30 seconds from last week's time. Dougherty ran 21 seconds faster, Wallenta 12 and Grimm 10.

The Tigers don't have much to rest with their next meet scheduled for next Tuesday, an appearance at the New Prague Invitational at the New Prague Golf Course.

" Faribault will be at the New Prague meet, and we will be ready," Lippold said.