-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Gavin Weber of Algona compete in the boys 5k run during Humboldt Invitational on Monday at Sheldon park

HUMBOLDT — Gavin Weber left the rest of the Humboldt Invitational field in the dust here Monday, winning the boys title to lead the Algona cross country team.

Weber, a senior, clocked a blistering time of 16:58.20, besting Andrew Herrin of Iowa Falls-Alden by over a minute.

Manson Northwest Webster’s Thatcher Oswald, Emmetsburg’s Ben Cox and Hunter Waldo-Martinez of Eagle Grove were all in the Top-10.

Behind Weber’s winning run, the Bulldogs finished first ahead of West Hancock, Iowa Falls-Alden, Eagle Grove and Ridge View. Boone was sixth followed by Manson Northwest Webster, Estherville-LC, the host Wildcats, St. Edmond, Emmetsburg, Newell-Fonda and North Union.

For St. Edmond, Erik Larson placed 17th in 20:08, as the Gaels were once again without lead runner Anthony Valles. Freshman Andrew Barwin finished 36th, senior Jonah Carlson was 46th, , junior Drew Horrell finished 74th, classmates Abram Ribbens and Dylan Brokaw were 81st and 82nd, and sophomore Owen Rutherford finished 85th.

“We had four junior varsity guys running varsity,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “Drew did a nice job and had decent race. I thought both Erik and Andrew had good races.

“Erik is kind of in uncharted territory as our No. 1 with Anthony out, but getting Top-20 in this field is a great accomplishment.”

Oswald clocked a time of 18:36 to place fifth for the Cougars, just missing out on the Top-3 by a few seconds. Teammate Kyle Widlund finished 14th overall.

Cox led Emmetsburg with a ninth place medal, as the freshman went 19:04 while Waldo-martinez was 10th for Eagle Grove in 19:09.

Algona’s Brooks Morgan and Breckin Borchardt finished 11th and 12th, with Humboldt’s Henry Kramer placing 13th overall.

Newell-Fonda’s Jack Olsen was 19th.

The Gaels are back in action Monday when they head to Algona.