It might be an individual sport, but it was St. Albert's team oriented approach to Saturday's 1A track district in Corning that lead the Saintes to a runner-up finish.  Host Corning won the meet.

"We don't have the type of team that can win a lot of individual events," said Saintes coach Scott Milner. "But we have enough fast girls to give us the depth to succeed in relays."

Kristin McGlade, Ashley Petersen, Beth Hamling and Gina Assmann teamed to win the sprint medley relay after winning the state championship in the same event one year ago.

"They have led the state in 1A all year in the sprint medley," said Milner. "They have an excellent chance of repeating this year."

Assmann won the only individual title for the St. Albert in the 100, an event she only started running recently.

"I like the 400 best and last year I qualified in the 200," said Assmann. "But I will run where the team needs me and right now that is in the 100."

Lauren Doll nearly pulled off an upset win in the 400 hurdles, bettering her personal best by over a second and just losing out to Brittanie Robinette of Griswold at the tape.

"Lauren suprised everyone with her time," said Milner. "She needed to run well to qualify and that's exactly what she did."

The Saintes also won the distance medley, and finished second in the 4x200, 4x800, and 4x100.

"The girls all have a different set of individual talents," said Milner. "I am really happy with the way they work together as a team."

The Saintes recieved an additional boost as Justine Olsen (400 meters), Audrey Weideman (1,500) and the Saintes 4x400 relay earned at large state berths by being among the fastest times in the state not to qualify automatically.

Matt Prieto, Staff Writer, Daily Nonpareil: