Sometimes the best runner is the best influence.

Austin cross country runner Haley Splinter found that out when she kept up with Chrissy Monson of Albert Lea for most of the race during the Austin Invite at River Oaks Tuesday. While Monson pulled away down the stretch and Splinter finished second overall, the Austin freshman felt great about how she ran.

“(Monson) broke away at the small hill towards the end. She actually said ‘keep up with me’ because we have this rivalry-friend thing going on,” said Splinter, who finished the 4K race with a personal best time of 15:33. “I know she’s going to get better because on the first meet everyone’s a little slower.”

Splinter’s finish was much better than what she did in the same race last season, where she didn’t break the top 10.

“I was so happy and taking second is such a big improvement from last year,” she said.

The Austin girls took fifth out of five teams, and the Austin boys, who were led by Christian Folken, took second out of five teams.

While the first three finishers were from Owatonna, Austin senior Christian Folken trotted in with a fourth place finish overall.

“(Owatonna) had quite a game plan and they were really good to keep pace with. I knew if I stuck with them I’d be fine,” Folken said. “I did a lot better than I expected. I’m really happy with the race.”

For the boys, Austin head coach Tony Einertson was very pleased with his fifth and sixth runners — Nathan Schawb who beat his personal best by one minute, and Gabe Deyo, who beat his personal best by 20 seconds.

“I’m really happy with the young guys. They came out and stepped up like we need them to,” he said.

Boys 5K Run

Team standings

1. Owatonna                23

2. Austin                       55

3. John Marshall        90

4. Albert Lea                95

5. Lourdes                    100

Austin results: Christian Folken (fourth, 16:44); Tim Erickson (sixth, 17:10); Abajado Ojullu (13th, 18:04); Ben Bachmeier (14th, 18:04); Nathan Schwab (26th, 18:59); Gabe Deyo (22nd, 19:23); Jon Ramirez-Hernandez (48th, 20:10); Zach Rausch (49th, 20:17); Dakota Biwer (54th, 20:27); Joseph Gerber (57th, 20:44); Ben Sherman (62nd, 20:58); Gabe Ramirez-Hernandez (64th, 21:08)

Girls 4K run

Team standings

1. Owatonna                31

2. Lourdes                    66

3. John Marshall        72

4. Albert Lea                98

5. Austin                       117

Austin results: Haley Splinter (second, 15:33); Katelyn Harder (29th, 18:01); Martha McDermott (42nd, 18:25.66); Kaitlynn Carroll (46th, 19:06); Lauren Thompson (47th, 19:12); Michelle Johannsen (52nd, 19:32); Alyssa Schroeder (64th, 20:12)