The Austin High School cross country team ran its last seasonal competition as a team and finished within pre-race expectations. The boys' and girls' teams both finished 12th overall with many of the runners finishing with personal-best times for the course.

Carl Bauer, an AHS junior who placed 11th in the Section last year, improved his ranking by finishing sixth in the meet with a time of 16:32. Bauer is the first Austin boys runner to advance to the state competition since Chris Harden did it in 1985.

"Carl ran a very smart and controlled race," said Austin coach Tony Einertson. "He was the ninth runner going into the last 300 meters, but found some extra kick to pass three runners going down the stretch."

Finishing as one of the top 10 individuals, Bauer qualifies for the State Cross Country Meet which will be run Saturday, Nov. 2, on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield. The Class AA boys race will begin at 2 p.m.

Bauer's time of 16:32 was as close as he's come to his personal-best time of 16:21, which he set as the course record the Hayfield Invitational earlier this season.

Bauer was the only boys' racer to finish in the top 60, with senior Brandon Downs bridging the gap in 64th overall.

Lakeville and Rosemount advanced to state as the top two teams.

Boys' individual -- 1. Garrett Heath, Winona, 15:37; 2. Ben Puhl, Century, 15:52; 3. Casey Ide, Red Wing, 15:58; 4. Andrew VanNurden, Owatonna, 16:15; 5. Zach Broughton, Lakeville, 16:29; 6. Carl Bauer, Austin, 16:32; 7. Cullen O'Neill, Northfield, 16:32; 8. Matt Hanson, K-M/T, 16:33; 9. John Lamppa, Northfield, 16:39; 10. Brandon Gleason, K-M/T, 16:42.

AUSTIN -- 6. Bauer, 16:32; 62. Brandon Downs, 17:84; 70. Kevin Groh, 17:57; 91. Aaron Snater, 18:42; 97. Jordan VanProosdy, 18:59; 98. Chase Kusterer, 19:05; 110. Nate Moser, 21:06.

Katie Munk led the Austin girls into the fray Thursday, but the Packer sophomore did not finish close enough to the top to achieve her goal of qualifying for state. Munk placed 30th in 16:05, 35 seconds out of 10th place.

"We were hoping to be in the top 10 (as a team)," Coach Einertson said. "Katie's finish was a little bit of a disappointment for her."

Munk too was the only AHS runner inside the final 60, with teammate Natalie Bowers crossing 60th in 16:58. Megan Wilson was 64th in 17:08 and Molly Thatcher was 71st in 17:17.

Bowers bowed out of the running with a leg cramp but had more than enough to finish the race. Wilson slimmed two minutes from her first meet of the season, while Thatcher passed 13 runners in the final 800 meters. Thatcher is the team's only senior for the girls.

Owatonna and Lakeville were the top two teams advancing to state in the girls' competition, which runs at 1 p.m. on Nov. 2.

Girls' individual -- 1. Annie Yetzer, Lakeville, 14:26; 2. Elizabeth Yetzer, Lakeville, 14:41; 3. Nicole McCann, Owatonna, 15:06; 4. Challis Firl, Century, 15:11; 5. Dana Peters, ZMKW, 15:11; 6. Jill Fagerstrom, Rosemount, 15:15, 7. Cassie Janke, Owatonna, 15:24; 8. Siri Lohmann, Northfield, 15:26; 9. Heather Dorniden, Rosemount, 15:30; 10. Kelsey Daly, Owatonna, 15:31.

AUSTIN -- 30. Katie Munk, 16:05; 60, Natalie Bowers, 16:58; 64. Megan Wilson, 17:08; 71. Molly Thatcher, 17:17; 97. Michelle Dammen, 18:29; 102. Ashley Bumgardner, 18:49.