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Class AAA schools Fridley (103.8) Elk River (81), and Alexandria (80) took first, second, and fourth, with Class AA power Mayer Lutheran (81) being third.

The Bulldogs competed without six athletes, nearly half their team. "We finished tenth," said coach Todd Spanier, "but were very competitive against area teams, trailing Atwater by only 10 and Morris by 11."

Junior Aaron Bachman scored the only team points for Paynesville with a sixth-place finish in the pole vault, clearing 11'.

Three Dogs finished tenth. Senior Josh Binsfeld was tenth out of 39 throwers in the shot put. Sophomore Dugan Flanders was tenth in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 11:34. Sophomore Travis Flannigan was tenth in the triple jump with a leap of 34' 10" and 13th in the high jump, clearing 5' 3".

"To finish near the top in competition like this is quite an accomplishment," said Spanier, who noted that three new meet records were set this year.

Bachman (with a time of 9.1 seconds) and Flannigan (with a time of 9.5 seconds) would have placed in the 55-meter hurdles a year ago, noted Spanier. It was Flannigan's first varsity hurdle race.

Senior Eric Hansen and ninth grader Bill Thompson also ran well in the 55-meter dash, added Spanier, but Fridley and Elk River placed six in the top eight, leaving few spots for the smaller schools.

Sophomore Curt Forster looked good in the 800-meter run, sophomore Cole Kampsen threw the shot well, and Alex Jewell ran well in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, noted Spanier.

"When I look at how we did today - with six guys not competing - I am really looking forward to the rest of the season when we get everyone healthy and have a little more experience," said Spanier.

This week, the Dogs had a meet at ACGC on Tuesday. Next week, they will host their first meet at the PAHS track on Monday, April 11, starting at 4:15 p.m.

Team scores
1. Fridley 103.8
2. Elk River 82.8
3. Mayer Lutheran 81
4. Alexandria 80
5. Litchfield 49.5
6. LPGE 41
7. Holy Family 37.8
8. Morris Area 14.5
9. ACGC 13.5
10. Paynesville 3

Individual Results
3,200-meter run: Dugan Flanders, tenth, 11:34;
Shot put: Josh Binsfeld, tenth, 40';
High jump: Travis Flannigan, 13th, 5' 3";
Triple jump: Flannigan, tenth, 34' 10";
Pole vault: Aaron Bachman, sixth, 11'.