The Austin boys' cross country team should take notes from Owatonna.

The Huskies' top runners closed the gap between themselves and Austin junior Carl Bauer, who led for much of the 3.1-mile course before giving way with around 800 meters to go. AHS coach Tony Einertson hopes the rest of his team can chase down Bauer to help lift the Packers in the final team standings.

Bauer, in 17:49, finished second behind Owatonna's Shawn Berner (17:33). Austin's next runner -- senior Jordan VanProosdy, was 14th in 19:44.

"Jordan is going to be pretty close to our second runner all year long," Einertson said. "We need him to close the gap between him and Carl."

Bauer was chasing the pace car for much of the race, but Berner caught him with one-half mile remaining and kept a consistent stride through the finish line. Bauer held off a late charge from Owatonna's Brian Belting over the final 100 meters.

"Push Carl, we wanted to see what he could do," Coach Einertson said. "With this heat and humidity his time is awfully fast for the first race of the year."

"He had a great race. Even when the kid passed him he responded."

Owatonna had eight of the top 10 finishers, broken up by Bauer and Hayfield senior Bryan Oelkers. Oelkers clocked in at 19:22 to take 10th. John Rasmussen was 20 seconds back in 13th place for the Vikings.

"I kind of tightened up my upper body," Bauer said after the race. "I wasn't as relaxed as I could have been.

"I wanted to run with the leaders. I knew Owatonna would be the tough team here."

Austin eighth-grader Isaac VanProosdy and sophomore Kevin Groh finished 20-21 for the Pack, and Nate Moser was 24th to round out Austin's top five.

"I think the younger guys were happy with their first meet," Bauer said. "I think it was positive for them."

Hayfield's Noah Hammer and Steve Emerick placed 17-18, and Brent Oelkers completed their top five in 25th. The Vikings run at Stewartville Thursday, and Austin goes to Northfield Friday for the St. Olaf Invite. Austin joins Lyle/Pacelli, Blooming Prairie and others at the Hayfield Invitational next Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Results:

Team standings - 1. Owatonna 16, 2. Austin 81, 3. Hayfield 83, 4. Albert lea 125.

Individual -- 1. Shawn Berner (O) 17:33, 2. Carl Bauer (AUS) 17:49, 3. Brian Belting (O) 17:52, 4. Adam Connaker (O) 18:05, 5. Andrew Boeddeker (O) 18:16, 6. T.J. White (O) 18:30, 7. Joe Daly (O) 18:32.

AUSTIN -- 2. Bauer, 14. Jordan VanProosdy 19:44, 20. Isaac VanProosdy 20:26, 21. Kevin Groh 20:27, 24. Nate Moser 21:04, 32. Chase Kusterer 22:05, 33. Nate Graff 22:10, 38. Tim Goossen 23:18, 39. Jeff Eng 23:23.

HAYFIELD -- 10. Bryan Oelkers 19:22, 13. John Rasmussen 19:42, 17. Noah Hammer 20:11, 18. Steve Emerick 20:12, 25. Brent Oelkers 21:13, 41. Mathew Voltan 24:17, 42. Kyle Ruster 25:19.