Forest Lake Times Winter Sports Preview

forestlaketimes.com

Bring it on.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Andrew Meyers, Jeremy McLaughlin and Austin Boniface are determined to carry on a strong Forest Lake wrestling tradition.

Winter Sports Preview Vol. 110 No. 30 - $1.00

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Rangers ready to continue climbing

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Rangers show promise with talent, leadership

girls basketball

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WINS

21 18

16-11 16-12 15

T 5th in sec

16-12

4th

5th in SEC

in sec

12

10-8

9

7 th

in sec

7-20 8th in sec

6 3 ’07-08 ’08-09

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Ranger Girls Basketball • 2011-12 record: 16-12 (fifth in SEC) • Captains: Seniors KP Palo, Angie Frericks and junior Bailey Norby • All-Conference returnees: Bailey Norby, Anna Eckert (honorable-mention) and Emily Peters (honorable-mention) • Current seniors: six

Kat Ladwig Sports Editor Ranger girls’ basketball already has one leg up on most Forest Lake sports in drawing a big crowd with their annual appearance of beloved Timberwolves mascot, Crunch. But area sports fan have another reason to watch the girls play this season as they hope to clinch a section title and secure a trip to state.

After a solid fifth-place SEC finish last year, with both Roseville and White Bear Lake ranking top-10 in state, the Rangers are off to a good start this season.

They won comfortably over Andover, 73-48, and blew away Mahtomedi, 7021, in this year’s first two games.

Head coach Jen Wagner, in her eighth season at Forest Lake, said her team has been playing well, but they still have work to do in practice.

“We still have some areas we need to improve

Photo by TLC Images

Top: The Forest Lake girls’ basketball team won their first two games of the season over Andover and Mahtomedi last week. Lower: Bailey Norby, Angie Frericks and KP Palo are the 2012-13 captains. on,” Wagner said. “[Like] executing better and being more efficient on offense, better block-outs on defense and defending without the basketball by staying in a stance.”

In the win over Andover, the girls showcased their speed and athleticism by running the court at every chance. That speed starts with the one-through-three spots: Emily Peters, Hanna Vidlund and Anna Eckert.

Peters, a junior, commands the court at the point with exceptional ball-handling skills and is an offensive threat from behind the arc and in her ability to drive

coaches • Head coach: Jen Wagner, eighth season • Assistant coaches: Maurya Laqua, Renee Frericks, Roger Keller and Chris Rupar

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“Hopefully we will win games along the way, but more importantly, we have to continue to get better each and every day,” – coach Jen Wagner 1/4 1/8 1/11 1/15 1/17 1/22 1/25 1/29 2/1 2/2 2/8 2/12 2/15 2/19 2/22 2/28 3/5 3/8

GIRLS BASKETBALL 11/27 Andover 7:15 11/30 Mahtomedi 7:15 12/4 at Cambridge-Isanti 7:15 12/6 at North 7:15 12/7 Chisago Lakes 7:15 12/11 at Mounds View 7:15 12/14 White Bear Lake 7:15 7:15 12/18 at Roseville 12/21 Cretin-Derham Hall 7:15 12/27 Rogers Tournament 8:00 12/28 Rogers Tournament 6:00

7:15 East Ridge 7:15 Woodbury 7:15 at Stillwater 7:15 at Hastings 7:15 Mounds View 7:15 at White Bear Lake 7:15 Roseville 7:15 at Cretin-Derham Hall 7:15 at Duluth East 2:30 Park 7:15 at East Ridge 7:15 at Woodbury 7:15 Stillwater 7:15 Hastings 7:15 Section Tournament 7:00 Section Tournament @ NB Section Finals @ NB

the lane.

Vidlund will fill the No. 2 spot, and worked hard in the off-season to earn her position and gain confidence on the court. Wagner said the guard has great length, quickness and is an offensive threat in both shooting and attacking the rim.

Junior Anna Eckert will be a key player on both ends as a guard and small forward with her quickness and athleticism.

“One of the best shooters on the team who has great ball-handling skills, excellent vision in the open court and the quickness to be a deadly defender,” Wagner said.

Captains, seniors KP Palo and Angie Frericks and junior Bailey Norby, will be the foundation of this Ranger squad, earning points for their team from the low blocks. Norby will

man the center position, bringing leadership and energy with her into the post. “[Bailey] is one of the best players to come through Forest Lake,” Wagner said. “An all-around outstanding player who can score at will in the low block, hit the outside jump shot, attack the rim, defend with success and a knack for rebounding.”

Palo will join Norby under the boards as a consistent low-block player with solid defense and rebounding skills, while Frericks will shine as one of the few true utility players. Wagner said Frericks is a solid defender with a high basketball I.Q., and is a consistent offensive threat from any position on the court.

This Ranger team has the talent and depth to take down the SEC and section forces during the demanding winter season.

“The season is long and ultimately, our goal is to win the section,” Wagner said. “Hopefully we will win games along the way, but more importantly, we have to continue to get better each and every day, helping us to reach our goal.”

The Ranger season, seeded third ended during the section semifinals last year to No. 2-seed Cambridge-Isanti in a backand-forth 71-65 loss. After a 7-20 record in 2010-11, Forest Lake began its climb last year at 16-12.

at Park

Photo by Kat Ladwig Junior Anna Eckert pulls up for a jumper in the lane during the 73-48 win over Andover in last Tuesday’s home opener.

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Ranger ballers look to bounce back

30 27

Photos by TLC Digital Images

BOYs basketball

24

24-6 1st in SEC

21

WINS

18

The Ranger boys’ basketball team is returning three of its top-five scorers from last season, when Forest Lake went 12-16 overall and took seventh in the SEC.

19-10 4TH in sec

Left: Seniors Brock Baumgartner, Anthony Tyler and Noah Davis are the 2012-13 captains.

20-9

T-2 nd in SEC

17-11

Below: Tyler drives the lane during a home game last season.

T-4th in SEC

15 12

12-16 7th

in SEC

9 6 3 ’07-08

’08-09

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’11-12

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Ranger Boys Basketball • 2011-12 record: 6-12 in SEC (12-16 overall) • Captains: Seniors Brock Baumgartner, Anthony Tyler and Noah Davis • All-Conference returnees: none • Current seniors: eight

coaches • Head coach: Dan Cremisino, seventh year • Assistant coaches: Dan Jacobs, Kale Henry, Kevin Keto, Doug Sewall, Tim Conley, John Buck “We will not have the luxury of being able to make many mistakes and still win.”

–

coach

Dan Cremisino

BASKETBALL 12/1 Blaine 3:00 12/4 Cambridge-Isanti 7:15 12/8 at Centennial 3:30 12/11 at St. Francis 7:15 12/15 at Irondale 2:45 12/18 Roseville 7:15 12/21 at Cretin-Derham Hall 7:15 1/4 Park 7:15 1/8 at East Ridge 7:15 1/11 at Woodbury 7:15 1/15 Stillwater 7:15

1/18 1/22 1/25 1/29 2/1 2/2 2/5 2/8 2/9 2/12 2/14 2/19 2/22 2/26 3/1 3/9

Hastings

7:15 7:15 White Bear Lake 7:15 at Roseville 7:15 Cretin-Derham Hall 7:15 Grand Rapids 2:30 at Big Lake 7:15 at Park 7:15 at Duluth East 2:00 East Ridge 7:15 Woodbury 7:15 at Stillwater 7:15 at Hastings 7:15 Mounds View 7:15 at White Bear Lake 7:15 Section Tournament 7:00 at Mounds View

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Kat Ladwig Sports Editor They have speed, depth and leadership.

And with the boys’ squad returning three of its topfive leading scorers from last season, Forest Lake basketball fans can look forward to a competitive season.

Under the senior leadership of captains Brock Baumgartner, Anthony Tyler and Noah Davis, head coach Dan Cremisino is optimistic about the Rangers battling through the Suburban East Conference for one of the top seeds heading into Section 7AAAA finals.

That’s not to say Forest Lake won’t have its work cut out, as they kick off conference play on Dec. 18 against a physical Roseville team, currently ranked No. 6 in state (Class AAAA). The Rangers stuck with the powerhouse Raiders during last season’s conference opener, losing just 64-57.

Other tough matchups for Forest Lake in conference play will be Woodbury, Cretin-Derham Hall, Mounds View and Stillwater. In section play, the Rangers hope to stick with tough teams from Duluth East and Anoka.

Another force in Section 7AAAA is Blaine, who lost to the Greyhounds of Duluth East in section finals last season, and defeated Forest Lake 61-56 in this year’s home opener for the Rangers on Saturday.

Impact players for the Rangers include leading returning scorer Davis, who appeared in just 18 full games last season due

to injury. Despite missing 10 games, the 6’6” forward recorded 298 points, 134 rebounds, 40 assists, 22 steals and shot 42 percent from behind the arc.

“We need Noah to score,” Cremisino said.

“He’s a unique player at 6’6” who can score both inside and out, and we just need him to stay healthy.”

Tyler also returns as an offensive threat as the squad’s third-leading scorer from last season with 234 points. The 6’4” senior will help Davis down low on the blocks after recording 91 rebounds, as well as 39 steals and 18 assists at the five-spot. Cremisino said the returning starter is a threat on multiple levels with his ability to run the floor, guard athleticism, finish around the rim and work hard under the boards.

Matt Degendorfer will round out the scoring threats in maroon and gold this season at the two-spot after earning 162 points last season, as well as 43 rebounds, 18 assists and 27 steals. The 5’10” guard also shot 38 percent from three-point range, prompting Cremisino to plan on running a lot of motion plays this year to free up the junior, who the coach said is “probably the best shooter on the team.”

Returning letter winners and seniors Baumgartner and Taylor Gullickson, a left-hander, will man the point for the Rangers. Both come in with a strong ability to execute the offense, according to Cremisino.

Other upperclassmen expected to contribute include seniors Wyatt Lawson, Phil Sauer, Andrew Wright and Cody Walton, who are all vying for minutes. Walton, already an accomplished athlete as a state finalist in the 300-meter hurdles, began playing basketball in ninth grade.

“He [Walton] is probably the best athlete on the team,” Cremisino said.

“His baskeball skills are still emerging, though. He can run the floor, guard athleticism and he’s one of those players that, with an open court, he’s going to finish with a dunk.”

Forest Lake also has a promising trio of sopho-

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mores in Conner Knudsen (6’3”), Brent Kinder (6’3”) and guard Toby Boyer.

Knudsen and Kinder can both play the wing and small forward spots, and Cremisino looks for all three to compete for quality varsity minutes.

Cremisino said his squad is expected to compete at a high level, but they have room to grow and need to stay healthy.

“We will not have the luxury of being able to make many mistakes and still win,” Cremisino said.

“We can be a team that on any given night can score points in hurry, and either build a lead or make a comeback after being down.”

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Working hard to stay on top

30

FL wrestlers lost seniors, still have leaders

WRESTLING

27 24-6

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1st

21

20-9

19-10

WINS

T-2nd

4th

18

17-11

17-7

T-4th

15

2ND in SEC

12 9 6 3 ’07-08

’08-09

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’10-11 ’11-12

year

Ranger Wrestling • 2011-12 record: 17-7 (second in SEC) • Captains: Seniors Andrew Meyers, Jeremy McLaughlin and Austin Boniface • All-Conference returnees: Austin Boniface, James Pleski, Jeremy McLaughlin (honorable-mention) and Andrew Meyers (honorable-mention) • Current seniors: eight

Kat Ladwig Sports Editor Nine seniors graduated– six of them starters, four individual state qualifiers.

It would look to be a building year for most programs, but head coach Billy Pierce is confident his squad of Forest Lake wrestlers will be back toward the top of the wrestling podium by mid-January.

The Rangers, who went 19-8 last season and finished second in the SEC, return eight seniors this winter. Three of them are captains Austin Boniface, Andrew Meyers and Jeremy McLaughlin.

Boniface, a multi-year varsity wrestler, is looking to make it his year to advance to state at the 160-pound weight class.

The senior just missed his chance two years ago in a close match, then was injured during the section meet last season. Pierce said Boniface, who took sixth at the competitive Minnesota Christmas tour-

nament in Rochester last winter and is currently ranked No. 6 in the state (Class AAA), is ready to go.

“That kid just lives and breathes wrestling,” the sixth-year head coach said.

“Wrestling is his life, he loves being around it, and puts a lot of time into it.”

Meyers is another state hopeful and will be a presence at 132 or 138. He narrowly lost the top-ranked wrestler from St. MichaelAlbertville on Saturday, 5-3.

Pierce said McLaughlin should be ready to go at 220 with his personal drive and the amount of experience under his belt, having wrestled the upper weights for years.

Junior James Pleski is the sole returning state qualifier (two years) in the lower weights, having finished fourth at 113 in 201112. The lower-weight grappler is currently ranked No. 2 in state in the 126-pound weight class.

Pierce expects nothing but the best from Pleski.

“He’s a smooth wrestler,” Pierce said. “He just walks on the mat, says ‘let’s go’ and wrestles, and you can never count him out.

He just doesn’t stop, kinda cat-like– always lands on

coaches

“Wrestling is known to be tough, so kids don’t always gravitate to it, but we get hard workers with great attitudes and that’s what’s fun.” coach

Billy Pierce

WRESTLING 11/30 12/1 12/6 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/20 12/28

at Stillwater Triangular TBD at St Michael/Alb. Invite 9 am

White Bear Lake Mounds View at Rochester Invite at Rochester Invite Tartan at Rochester Invite

7:00 7:00 2:00 9 am 7:00 9 am

12/29 1/5 1/17 1/19 1/25 1/26 1/31 2/2 2/7 2/15 2/22 2/23

9 am 10 am Woodbury 7:00 at Camb-Isanti Invite 9 am at Roseville Triangular 4:30 Ranger Invitational 8 am Hastings 7:00 at Pine Island Invite 9 am at Park Triangular 5:00 Section Finals Team 2:00 Section Ind. at Anoka 3:30 Section Individual Finals at Anoka 11am

File photo James Pleski returns as one of the team’s toughest grapplers. The lower-weight wrestler placed fourth at state last season in the 113-pound weight class.

at Rochester Invite at Burnsville Invite

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his feet.”

Another lower-weight wrestler to watch is sophomore Luke McCord at 113 or 120, who placed sixth at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament last December. Pierce said McCord tends to move so much he can get himself into trouble, but is always a blast to watch.

“He’s long, lanky, speedy and agile,” Pierce said.

“He’s just a go-er, always on the move and really fun to watch. If he gets himself into trouble, he can get himself out just as quickly.”

Luke Niemczyk is also on the watch list at 152.

The junior is expected to wrestle tough this year and work hard to get points in the middle-weight division for the Rangers.

Holding down the heavyweight spot is senior Aaron Calhoun who, similar to McLaughlin, has a lot of wrestling experience.

Pierce is excited to have junior Kyle Winberg (182, 195) and senior Austin Rizzo (138, 145) back on the mat by the end of December. The two plus a transfer to the team, Nick Norem at 145, are out to injury.

While the Rangers can’t replace state champion Ben Morgan, third-place finisher Michael Pleski or qualifiers Tyler Isaacson and Mike Urban, they can push each other to continue their stronghold as a top conference and section team by January, according to Pierce.

“We’ve got great kids that are really positive and coachable,” Pierce said.

“Wrestling is known to be tough, so kids don’t always gravitate to it, but we get hard workers with great attitudes and that’s what’s fun, getting to work with those hard workers that love sports.”

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• Head coach: Billy Pierce, sixth season • Assistant coaches: Gordy Morgan, Joe Kunshier, Tony Harris, Jordan Kolbow, Ben Dahmes

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Photos by Kat Ladwig

The Rangers are ready to rebuild after losing six starters. Below: Andrew Meyers, Jeremy McLaughlin and Austin Boniface are the 2012-13 captains.

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Thursday, December 6, 2012 – Forest Lake Times – Page

www.forestlaketimes.com

5A

Mix of inexperience and talent for FL Photo by TLC Digital Images

Even with the loss of key scorers from last season, the Rangers have talent to spare.

Below: Seniors and captains line up for a shot. The 2012-13 captains are: Jack Schmidt, Trevor Thompson, Kyle Parker and Noah Brown.

Ranger hockey finding new scorers across the board Kat Ladwig Sports Editor “Repitition and experience” is Forest Lake head coach Aaron Forsythe’s mantra this season, as he said the boys’ hockey team has the skill set to surpass the 2011-12 squad’s 12-14-1 record.

The team lost seven seniors who all logged varsity ice time last winter, including school recordholder Lucas Kohls and dynamic scorer CJ Franklin. Forsythe is looking for big things from all-conference honorable-mention returner Brett Gravelle and senior captains Jack Schmidt, Trevor Thompson, Kyle Parker and Noah Brown.

Cody Rogala will be a key player for the Rangers at forward. The senior’s scrappy play and high energy will be something his teammates feed off of on the ice alongside junior Weston Kilpela’s offensive productivity.

Parker is expected to anchor the left wing–

Ranger Boys Hockey • 2011-12 record: 12-14-1 (seventh in SEC) • Captains: Seniors Jack Schmidt, Trevor Thompson, Kyle Parker and Noah Brown • All-Conference returnees: Junior Brett Gravelle (honorable-mention) • Current seniors: eight

coaches • Head coach: Aaron Forsythe, sixth year • Assistant coaches: Chris Parrucci, Jon Loo, Jim Hipp, Dan Forsythe, Matt Fenno, Bill Coleman Forsythe calls him one of the fastest and strongest skaters on the team.

Goalies Jesse Garcia, Collin Peterson and Andrew Murray will all battle for ice time this season with Garcia returning with varsity experience and taking the lead role early on.

With eight seniors on varsity and just five with varsity experience, Forsythe said the Rangers will have to rely on a variety of players to succeed, but that there’s a lot of talent in that bunch as well.

“We haven’t had depth like this before,” Forsythe said. “I’m not nervous,

but I’m excited. We’ll find scoring where we haven’t in the past, from different kids in different lines.

That will be our key to success.”

One of the youngest players on the team also debuted his cool head on the football field. Sophomore Brandon Rogers, who started on the varsity hockey team as a ninthgrader, will help anchor the Forest Lake defense along with seniors Jack Schmidt, Noah Brown, Brandon Hess and juniors Clayton Dahly and Paul Stehr.

Also looking at varsity minutes are sophomore

Johnny Suess, junior Ryan Herbert and senior Landon Pikala.

Forsythe wants to finish in the top three of the conference. He is hoping to do so with scoring across the roster and solid defense, all stemming from the repitition and experience only practice and varsity minutes can bring.

“I think we have the strongest section in the state,” Forsythe said. “We just need to get our kids in more situations to get them the confidence they need.”

“I’m not nervous, but I’m excited. We’ll find scoring where we haven’t in the past, from different kids in different lines.”

– coach Aaron Forsythe

BOYS HOCKEY 11/27 at St Michael-Albertville 7:00 11/30 Grand Rapids 7:30 12/6 Stillwater 7:30 12/8 at Mounds View 7:30 12/11 Saint Francis 7:30 12/13 at Roseville 7:30 12/15 Park 3:00 12/20 at Cretin-Durham Hall 5:30 12/22 Cloquet 3:00

12/26 Mounds View TBD 12/27 at Schwan Cup Invite TBD 12/28 at Schwan Cup Invite TBD 1/2 at Woodbury 7:30 1/5 White Bear Lake 7:30 1/10 at Hastings 7:30 1/12 East Ridge 7:30 1/17 Cretin-Derham Hall 7:30 1/19 at Stillwater 7:30 1/22 at Duluth East 7:00 1/26 Roseville 7:30 1/31 at White Bear Lake 7:30 2/2 Woodbury 7:30 2/7 at Park 7:30 2/9 Hastings 7:30 2/14 at East Ridge 7:30

High hopes for Ranger girls

Photos by TLC Digital Images

Ranger hockey girls are in their second season under coach Ryan Sauter. Above: Seniors Abbi White and Amy Enrooth are the 2012-13 captains.

Ranger Girls Hockey FL looking for winning season, starts with mindset Kat Ladwig Sports Editor It’s not easy to go out for a sport that hasn’t had a winning season in six years, and win its first and only section title 11 years ago. Forest Lake girls hockey is out to change that.

The Rangers started this season 2-0-1, tying a tough Duluth team that hasn’t lost to Forest Lake in five seasons. The young team has a range of players to look to for leadership, starting with senior captains Abbi White and Amy Enrooth.

White, the returning varsity goalie, was the rock of the Ranger defense last year with more than a .900 save percentage while facing more than 30 shots per game. White is

again showing her prowess in the net this season with a save percentage of 93, blocking 82 of 88 shots on goal in four games.

Enrooth, a forward, returns as a varsity letter winner, and is impressing head coach Ryan Sauter.

“Her leadership already this season has been nothing short of outstanding,” Sauter said.

“She has great work ethic, is a very vocal leader, and the girls really respect her because of her hard work.”

Sauter will look to returning leading scorer Kaitlyn VanTassel as an offensive force. and said the forward leads the Ranger squad by example.

“She is just a phenomenal hockey player who understands the game,” Sauter said. “She leads her teammates by example, but we’re looking for her to be a little more vocal.”

Lexi Carpenter is also a returning offensive weapon, Sauter called the senior a hard worker who knows how to pick her

team up when the Rangers need a spark.

On the defensive end, Forest Lake will rely on senior Karlyn Ristrom and junior Rachel Skoglund to get some stops. Sauter said he is excited about having Skoglund on the ice this season.

“Our defense relies on Rachel a lot,” Sauter said.

“She has a couple goals and assists and at the appropriate times. Last year she expended a little too much energy while charging, but she’s really starting to figure things out now.” Ristrom saw varsity time last year, but Sauter said her role on the team has increased substantially after graduating six key players from last season and is seen as a vocal leader and mentor to younger players on the Ranger squad.

Another impact Ranger this season is senior Alexa Bremer. The forward is a scoring threat as well, but can clear the puck on defense.

“Alexa is one of the qui-

eter girls on the team,” Sauter said. “But she has good hands and a knack for scoring goals on the offensive end.”

Sauter also said as a whole, the team continues to improve on its transition game, passing, spending more time on offense and becoming mentally stronger. One example of the latter is the Duluth game, where the Rangers were down 3-0 after losing intensity and focus in the second period.

Sauter and his assistant, Paul Bailey, addressed the team’s mentality in the locker room, telling their team that there’s no time for sulking if they want to continue climbing the SEC ladder.

“Champions can’t just sit there and say we’re beat,” Sauter said. “We can revert back to what Forest Lake used to be, or we can build to where we want it to be.”

• 2011-12 record: 5-18-3 (ninth in SEC) • Captains: Seniors Abbi White and Amy Enrooth • All-Conference returnees: Seniors Lexi Carpenter and Abbi White • Current seniors: six

coaches • Head coach: Ryan Sauter, second season • Assistant coaches: Leah Crow, Paul Bailey and Rick Shelafoe “We can revert back to what Forest Lake used to be, or we can build to where we want it to be.”

– coach Ryan Sauter

GIRLS HOCKEY 11/10 at Cloquet 3:00 11/13 Saint Francis 7:30 11/15 Duluth Denfeld 7:30 11/27 at Cretin-Derham Hall 7:30 12/1 Hastings 7:30 12/4 Mounds View 7:30 12/8 at Stillwater 3:00 12/11 at East Ridge 7:30 12/15 at Roseville 7:30 12/20 White Bear Lake 7:30

12/22 Park 7:30 12/27 at Blaine Tournament TBD 12/28 at Blaine Tournament TBD 12/29 at Blaine Tournament TBD 1/3 Woodbury 7:30 1/5 Cretin-Derham Hall 3:00 1/8 at Hastings 7:30 1/11 Grand Rapids 7:30 1/12 at Mounds View 7:30 1/15 Stillwater 7:30 1/19 East Ridge 7:30 1/22 Roseville 7:30 1/26 at White Bear Lake 7:30 1/29 at Park 7:30 2/2 at Woodbury 3:00 2/7 Section Tournament 7:00

Page 6A – Thursday, December 6, 2012 – Forest Lake Times

www.forestlaketimes.com

Closing in on the section title Photos by Kat Ladwig Right: The Ranger swimmers return a lot of talent this season along with fresh faces on the 40-member squad that took second at sections last season. Left: Seniors Joe Goossens and Joel Stomberg are the 201213 captains. There are no competitors in diving so far this year.

Ranger Swimming • 2011-12 record: 3-6 in dual meets (second at section) • Captains: Seniors Joe Goossens, Joel Stomberg, Evan Woehl • All-Conference returnees:junior Bryan Fleming, senior Joe Goossens and senior Joel Stomberg. junior Stefan Albright (honorable-mention) and sophomore Corey Bahr (honorable-mention).

coaches • Head coach: Barbara Vailodash, 11th season • Assistant coaches: Bob Andresen and Kim Jones “I attribute the leadership to the well-rounded, balanced and well-grounded seniors who have led this team for the last couple of years.”

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coach

Barbara Vailodash

SWIMMING 12/6 12/13 12/20 1/3 1/8 1/10 1/17 1/24

at Stillwater Conf. Relays 5:30

Roseville at White Bear Lake at Mounds View at Stillwater East Ridge at Park Woodbury

6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00

1/26 1/31 2/7 2/16

2/22 2/23

at Camb-Isanti Invite 1:00 Hastings 6:00 Cretin-Derham Hall 6:00 JV Conf. Meet at Stillwater 12:00 Section Prelims @ TBD 6:00 Section Finals @ TBD 6:00

Swimmers look strong, but divers lacking Kat Ladwig Sports Editor Following a secondplace finish at the Section 7AA meet last year, head coach Barbara Vailodash said the Forest Lake boys’ swimming and diving team has one ultimate goal this season: win the section championship.

The Rangers have the talent and senior leadership to do it, too.

Senior captains Joe Goossens, Joel Stomberg (two-time) and Evan Woehl finished at the top of their game last year, each achieving personal bests at sections to end the 2011-12 season.

“I attribute the leadership to the well-rounded, balanced and wellgrounded seniors who have led this team for the last couple of years,” Vailodash said. “They demonstrate to the rest of the team maturity and solid positive decisions in and out of the pool area.”

Goossens recorded a time of 1:51.61 in the 200 freestyle preliminary, earning the eighth-best time in school history at Forest Lake High School, followed closely by Stomberg who recorded a personal best, 1:52.39.

One of the strongest events for the Rangers is the 100 fly, where junior Bryan Fleming excelled at sections with a personalbest time of 57:71. juniors Stefan Albright and Corey Bahr also show promise in the event with best times of 58:13 and 58.52, respectively.

Bahr and Albright will take the reins in the 200-meter individual medley, while Fleming and Goossens will lead in the 50 free and 100 free sprints after personal bests in both at sections last February.

Stomberg earned a personal-best of 5:12.74 in the 500 free, while Woehl improved on his personal

record by 1.60 seconds in the 100 breaststroke.

Goossens and Stomberg were also on the 400free relay team along with returning letter winners, juniors Corey Bahr and Bryan Fleming. The team recorded the fifth-fastest time in Ranger history at 3:26.23.

Due to the graduation of Erik Klein and Nate Merrier in the 200-medley relay, Vailodash is looking to junior Andrew Bowes to swim the backstroke leg and sophomore Cameron Parrucci to fill in at freestyle.

In the 200-free relay, Stomberg is looking to be the likely candidate to fill Merrier’s shoes.

While the boys’ squad looks to be a force in swimming, Forest Lake has yet to find competitors for the one-meter dive event. Diving coach Bob Andresen and Vailodash are hoping to find participants, but will have to absorb the

loss of points in the meantime.

It shouldn’t be hard to make up points for the Rangers under the direction of the returning “Section 7AA coach of the year,” who sends each captain to a leadership conference in Illinois each spring to meet with NCAA coaches, Olympic swimmers and other leaders in the swimming and diving community nationwide.

Vailodash said the conference helps her captains learn how to set examples of discipline for the younger athletes by reaching high in all areas of life, including the Rangers’ goal of winning the section title this season.

“Without discipline and direction, the journey to success can open the possibilities of confusion and misdirection,” Vailodash said. “Therefore losing sight of the path to achieving the ultimate goal.”

Rangers in hot pursuit

Ranger Nordic Skiing Nordic boys and girls both look for state bid Kat Ladwig Sports Editor The Forest Lake nordic boys put themselves back on the map last winter with a fourth-place finish at state after entering the meet unranked.

The Rangers may have graduated key skiiers, Joe Jackson and Alex Kelley, but absorb the loss by returning all-conference honorees Jack Ebel, Jacob Jankowski, Tommy Babcock, Leo Hipp. Quinn Duffy, Davis Long and Alex Richert also returns as all-conference honorable-mentions.

Seniors Jankowski and Ebel, the captains, will take the reins for the Rangers, with head coach Deno Johnson calling Jankowski a “genetic freak with an engine that never quits” and Ebel a “focused and tenacious competitor who seldom loses in the

second half of a pursuit race.” Jankowski is currently ranked No. 12 in state, while Ebel recently returned from a stress fracture that cut his cross country season short.

Ninth-grader Babcock and sophomore Hipp looking for a top-25 finish after taking 65th and 69th at state last year, respectively. Babcock’s final time of 32:52 was the fastest of all racers his age group and younger. Babcock currently sits at No. 29 in state and Hipp at the No. 33 spot.

Overall, Johnson, in his 16th season of coaching, expects his team to take a top-three spot at state, and have No. 1 Hopkins, Roseville and Eden Prairie in sight.

The girls are also looking for a trip to state, falling just short last year at the section meet.

Forest Lake has a lethal weapon in sophomore Rocci Wohlk, who finished third at state and earned her second all-state honor. She returns with a No.

Photos by Kat Ladwig Above: The Forest Lake nordic ski team poses for a picture before heading to Troll Hollow. Left: Junior Jess Greeley is the 2012-13 girls’ captain.

Above right: Seniors Jacob Jankowski and Jack Ebel are the boys’ captains.

2 ranking.

The Rangers return two all-conference honorees in ninth-grader Kate Schaaf and junior captain Jess Greeley as well as all-conference honorablemention Molly Meed, a sophomore. Schaaf earned a top-10 finish last year at section, while Greeley ended in the top15.

Johnson also expects to see strides from Marlee Humble and Madi Anderson in the team’s quest for a state trip, which would be their first since 2005, apart from earning second at state in 2011. In the past nine years, the girls have never placed worse

than fourth in the section, happening just once in 2009. For the boys, it’s been 14 years since the Rangers didn’t receive a state bid after taking first in the section with the exception of third place in 2010-11.

Johnson said this season will be no different.

“The coaching staff knows we can fully approach each training session with clear, precise goals in mind and the athletes will, no question, get after it 100 percent daily,” Johnson said. “The athletes are part of a program with massive tradition and they have that understanding.”

• 2011-12 record: Fourth in state (boys) and second in section (girls) • Captains: Seniors Jacob Jankowski and Jack Ebel (boys) and junior Jess Greeley (girls) • All-Conference returnees: Jacob Jankowski, Jack Ebel, Tommy Babcock, Leo Hipp, Quinn Duffy (honorable-mention), and Davis Long (honorablemention) for the boys. Rocci Wohlk, Kate Schaaf, Jess Greeley and Molly Meed (honorablemention) for the girls.

coaches • Head coach: Deno Johnson, 16th season • Assistant coaches: Dave Johnson “The athletes are part of a program with massive tradition and they have that understanding.”

– coach Deno Johnson

NORDIC SKIING 12/4 12/11 12/18 1/3 1/8 1/15 1/21 1/31

Invite @ Troll Hollow Meet @ Como Park GC Meet @ Les Bolstad GC ( U of M ) Meet @ TBD Meet @ Battle Creek Regional Park Meet @ Lake Elmo Park Reserve Meet @ TBD Conference Meet @ Battle Creek

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Older and wiser squad aims high Photos by Kat Ladwig Left: This year’s Forest Lake gymnastics team is a stark contrast to the 2011-12 team on paper.

Five seniors are taking the lead this season for the Rangers, opposed to zero from last year.

Below: Seniors Amanda Williamson, Merina Lenz and Jessica Dhaene are the 2012-13 captains.

Ranger Gymnastics • 2011-12 record: third in SEC, fifth at Section 7AA meet • Captains: Seniors Jessica Dhaene, Merina Lenz and Amanda Williamson • All-Conference returnees: Jessica Dhaene • Current seniors: four

coaches • Head coach: Ashley Brett, second year • Assistant coaches: Carol Suess, Joel-Lynn Tinklenberg and Heather Olson “This team has decided it is time for the Rangers to return to state as a team and they are going to do what needs to be done to get there.”

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coach

Ashley Brett

GYMNASTICS 11/29 Cretin-Derham Hall 6:30 12/6 Mounds View 6:30 12/13 at Roseville 6:30 12/19 Hastings 6:30 1/5 at Faribault Invite 11 am 1/10 at Stillwater 6:30 1/17 White Bear Lake 6:30

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6:30 East Ridge 6:30 at Woodbury 6:30 Section Finals at St. Francis 5:00 State Meet at U of M Sports Pavillion 11 am

Kat Ladwig Sports Editor Last season, Ranger gymnastics competed as a young squad hoping to do well. This year they’re back with five seniors, a roster of 23 and most importantly, experience.

Forest Lake finished its 2011-12 season third in the Suburban East Conference and fifth at the Section 7AA meet in St. Francis. Head coach Ashley Brett, in her seventh season at Forest Lake (third as head coach) (CHECK) is excited for her girls to come out more prepared this season.

“Last year we were a small, inexperienced team,” Brett said. “This year we have a big team, a lot of talent, and the girls worked harder in the off-season than any team [in their routines] I’ve had, so they’re coming in with much higher difficulty than they left with.”

A lot of that talent comes from senior captains Jessica Dhaene, Merina Lenz and Amanda Williamson.

The multi-sport all-star Dhaene has competed at state three times in three years, qualifying last year in the vault, bars, floor and the all-around. She

took 15th in bars, 16th in the all-around, 19th in vault and 27th on floor.

Both Lenz and Williamson are familiar with top finishes as well, both placing in the top-15 at section last season (Lenz on the vault and Williamson on floor).

Brett said the two will have a big impact and expects strong scores from them in the floor event.

“The energy from the girls is a very positive one,” Brett said. “That has a lot to do with the senior leadership that Jessica and Merina bring as they carry over that

No looking back for FL skiiers Kat Ladwig Sports Editor Most coaches use the previous season as a starting point on which to improve. Not Forest Lake alpine skiing coach Grant Lindemer.

The third-year head coach (fifth year on staff) said he concern himself with how the Rangers closed their 2011-12 season.

“We’ve got to focus on the here and now, the present and future,” Lindemer said. “It’s not really about conference or section standing, it’s about individual skills and ability.”

For those who need a reminder, the alpine girls finished last year’s fivemeet SEC season in second place out of 15, just ten points behind conference champ Cook County, then went on to finish eighth out of 19 at the Section 7 meet at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik.

The girls graduated top skiier Krista Kirchner, who placed third in the SEC in total points and 36th out of 89 at the state meet, but Lindemer said there is much to look forward to this winter.

Replacing the lead role will be senior captains Kellie Welch and Melissa Mackey, Welch missed qualifying for an individual state bid last year by 10 spots and five seconds at the section meet and took 26th in 1:31.59, while Mackey took 49th at 1:40.73.

Lindemer said he is pleased with the two different skills his only senior girls bring to the co-captain roles.

“Mellisa brings us exceptional leadership skills, maturity and an excellent mentoring role to the younger girls,” Lindemer said. “Kellie is highly skilled and an exceptional example for the other girls to emulate.”

Other contributors to the Rangers will be juniors Maddi Gemuenden, Sydney Halley and ninth-grader Maggie Longsdorf.

On the boys side, Forest Lake will be led by captains Jacob Schwanz and junior Jacob Bush, as it tries to improve on a fifth-place finish in the SEC and a lowplace finish at sections.

Schwanz, a senior, posted a season best at the SEC meet at Wild Mountain, finishing in 25th at 1:09.27.

“Jacob [Schwanz] is

File photo Senior captain Kellie Welch took to the slopes during the 2011-12 season.

She is co-captain with Melissa Mackey. Boys’ captains include Jacob Schwanz and junior Jacob Bush. very much the male counterpart of the role that Melissa has for the girls, he is a very stable force and a very hard worker,” Lindemer said. “Jacob Bush has the learned skills necessary to be a top performer, and in that respect he’s like Kellie for the girls.

They make a great team of captains.”

Other key performers include ninth-graders Joe Alberg, Max Stangler and Marty Longsdorf, sophomores Riley Schilling, Chris Wallner and senior Bobby Beynon.

The 32 skiiers (18 boys, 14 girls) will compete in two of five conference meets this season on what they consider home turf

on Wild Mountain, including the conference meet.

The alpine athletes won’t see their first conference competition until Tuesday, Jan. 1 at Welch Village, but have been practicing on snow for nearly three weeks already.

Lindemer said his squad is already two weeks ahead of the rest in training due to the early snow on Wild Mountain, and can’t wait to start competing and having fun as a team. “[Our goal] is to do our absolute best, and let the chips fall where they may,” the head coach said. “It’s a fun sport– playing with gravity is a great thing.”

captain status from last year, plus Amanda’s personality just adds to the dynamic.”

Junior Katie Dison placed top-15 on the bars at sections to close her 2011-12 season, and Brett said both Dison and sophomore Lyndsey Anderson are extremely hard-working competitors with good attitudes.

The Forest Lake gymnasts welcome three newcomers to varsity in eighth-grader Lilly Foss, ninth-grader Abby Jungwirth and junior Julia Walton, with all three vying for one of the five var-

sity spots this year.

Brett said the lack of a set lineup is an advantage for the team, forcing each gymnast to compete at their highest to earn a position, especially when going up against SEC teams like defending state champion Roseville, Park and Stillwater.

“They push each other to be the best gymnasts and teammates they can be,” Brett said. “This team has decided it is time for the Rangers to return to state as a team and they are going to do what needs to be done to get there.”

Ranger Alpine Skiing • 2 011-12 record: girls took second in the SEC meet, boys took fifth •C aptains: Seniors Kellie Welch and Melissa Mackey (girls). Senior Jacob Schwanz and junior Jacob Bush (boys).

• All-Conference returnees: Joe Alberg, Marty Longsdorf (honorable-mention) and Jacob Bush (honorable-mention) for the boys and Kellie Welch and Maddi Gemuenden (honorable-mention) for the girls.

• Current seniors: four

coaches • Head coach: Grant Lindemer, third year • Assistant coaches: Andrew Perry and Collin Cassem “[Our goal] is to do our absolute best, and let the chips fall where they may. It’s a fun sport– playing with gravity is a great thing.”

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coach

Grant Lindemer

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No plans for slowing down Ranger Dance Team • 2011-12 record: sixth at section meet in kick, and fifth in jazz • Captains: Seniors Hayley Waldoch and Emily Proulx and juniors Rachel Rue and Mia Leeson • All-Conference returnees: Rachel Rue • Current seniors: seven

coaches • Head coach: Cheryl Smoczyk, seventh year • Assistant coaches: Katie Jensen, Ang Nelson, Kate Corrigan and Erica Siever Kat Ladwig Sports Editor It’s the most teamoriented, selfless group of girls in sports, and the squad in Forest Lake plans on improving on its already-stellar reputation in both kick and jazz this year.

The Forest Lake dance team is following its best season yet after winning the school’s first SEC championship with a sweep in both events, and plans on a repeat performance this season, as well as a top-three finish at state. The Rangers closed the 2011-12 season at sections with a fifth-place finish in jazz, and sixth-place finish in kick.

Head coach Cheryl Smoczyk is entering her seventh season at Forest Lake, and said the more momentum her squad gains, the more notice it receives.

“Mounds View had six straight years of never losing a meet at the var-

sity and junior varsity level, including conference championships,” Smoczyk said. “Now we have a target on our backs after winning SEC last year.”

But the Rangers are ready to roll, especially after taking third place in the jazz category at their opening invitational in Burnsville on Nov. 17.

The 12-member jazz team was the sole representative of Forest Lake, as the 24-member kick team did not compete, and finished just behind Eagan and Spring Lake Park.

Smoczyk said the kick team will be a force this year with its ability to choreograph, memorize placement and movement and project personality from each dancer. The jazz team is loaded with talent and athletic ability to perform the leapsand turns necessary to deliver a sound performance.

“We have about 10 leaps and six sets of turns in our dance, and making it through three minutes

“Now we have a target on our backs after winning SEC last year.” – coach Cheryl Smoczyk

DANCE TEAM

Photos by TLC Digital Images

Top: The Ranger dance team opened its season on Nov. 17. Bottom: Rachel Rue, Hayley Waldoch, Emily Proulx, and Mia Leeson are the 2012-13 captains. of that while smiling is like doing wind-sprint sets while smiling,” Smoczyk said. “[It’s] not easy.”

Smoczyk said its realistic for her girls to earn that section title, and hopes to do so under the leadership of seniors Hayley Waldoch and Emily Proulx and juniors Rachel Rue and Mia Leeson. The captains, along with their head coach, have choreographed the fall dances

for the first time in four seasons. Aside from the choreography, another change for the Ranger dance team is the addition of a B-squad for the jazz category.

“It’s just so competitive where some girls don’t have enough experience, but have the talent, but then again don’t have the varsity mindset just yet,” Smoczyk said. “We just needed those three differ-

11/17 Burnsville Invitational 9:00 a.m.

12/3 Conference Meet @ Park 6:00 p.m.

12/8 Eastview Invitational 9:00 a.m.

12/11 Conference Meet @ Woodbury 6:00 p.m.

12/15 Rochester John Marshall Invitational 9:00 a.m.

1/5 Henry Sibley Invitational 9:00 a.m.

1/12 Lakeville North Invitational 9:00 a.m.

1/16 Conference Finals @ Cretin-Derham Hall 6:00 p.m.

1/19 Wayzata Invitational 9:00 a.m.

1/26 Mounds View Invitational 9:00 a.m.

2/9 Section Finals @ Bloomington Kennedy 9:00 a.m.

2/15-2/16 State Tournament @ EXcel TBD ent levels in jazz.”

One constant for the dancers, and another goal to repeat this season, is the achievement of academic all-state honors.

The award goes to student-athletes with an average GPA of 3.5 or higher, and the girls earned it again last season for the sixth-consecutive year.

“It takes a smart danc-

er to be a good dancer,” Smoczyk said. “Our varsity routines for kick have between 25-29 formation changes and dancers are expected to know where their head, toes and every body part in between are on every beat of a 3:30 routine. Only intelligent people can do that well, and that’s who I want on our team.”

NLA girls continue building program NLA: Defense and rebounding

to determine season’s success

Photo by Kat Ladwig

The North Lakes Academy girls’ basketball team is looking for its first conference win after joining the EMAC last season.

Kat Ladwig Sports Editor The North Lakes Academy girls’ basketball program began four years ago, but has yet to win a conference game. Head coach Jeff Beimert said the girls plan to take care of that this season.

The Huskies finished last season at 2-18 overall and despite a winless conference record, it was the first year in the EMAC conference for North Lakes, having been independent for the three seasons.

“We were basically taking a group of girls who had never played before, and teaching them to play basketball in one season,” Beimert said of the program’s start in 2009.

North Lakes now has a foundation in senior leaders and captains Shylo Stevens and Kirsten Thiele. Stevens, a 5’3” shooting guard returns to the varsity lineup as the team’s leading scorer, while 6’0” Thiele returns

as the staple of the Huskies’ rebounding and defensive force in the five spot.

Beimert is looking for junior Alex Munkelwitz to step up at the off-guard/ small forward position for North Lakes, and considers her to be one of the best shooters on the team. The head coach will also look to another forward, sophomore Abbey Millerberend to make an impact with strong defense and rebounding, as well as her ability to communicate on the court.

Sophomore Sarah Torma will command the offense as starting point guard.

“She is definitely coming into her own out there,” Beimert said. “She has more confidence, and I feel like she is stepping into that leader and true point guard role more and more.”

North Lakes needs strong play from freshman Liv Dufour and junior Nicole Rime coming

off the bench. (Nicole) will help to anchor the defense with her strength and is a consistent presence for the Huskies on the court. As for Dufour, Beimert named her the most athletic girl on the team, a top defender with the ability to come in as a strong back-up point guard. Her athleticism shows through seven varsity letters in volleyball, softball and basketball as a freshman.

“Liv is really starting to grow as a player,” Beimert said. “She is coming along quickly, so you’d better get used to that name.”

After losing six players from last season, the Huskies plan on persevering this season through hard work and strong leadership, according to Beimert.

“We definitely need to gain some confidence and work on our ability to execute, but we work hard,” Beimert said. “We may not be the most talented, but we work hard.”

Kat Ladwig Sports Editor North Lakes Academy may have just one winter sport, but fans will have all the excitement they need when watching the Huskies play basketball this season.

North Lakes went 1412 last year, and head coach Judd Yaeger, in his third season at North Lakes, said his team’s biggest strength will be rebounding. That could be related to the stacked lineup of six-footers trying to fit into the middle school gym on practice days, along with the eight returning letter winners with varsity experience.

Stepping into the captain role are Christopher Rosencrantz, Cody Warren and Josh Ozment.

Key players will be juniors Derek Beatty (5’10”) and Rosencrantz (6’2”),

who will anchor the backcourt and take turns commanding the offense from the point and shooting guard positions. Rosencrantz led the Huskies last season in scoring as a sophomore.

Jake “Ozzie” Ozment is the second-leading returning scorer for North Lakes. Yaeger said the team needs his points from inside to climb to the top of the EMAC ladder, and the junior power forward should be an all-conference candidate this year.

Warren gives the Huskies athleticism rarely seen at the center position. Yaeger expects some offensive fine-tuning from the 6’2” junior this season, and knows he will put in the needed effort to put up points. “[He] plays over his height due to his athletic

ability and energy,” Yaeger said.

Lone senior starter Brandon Flom, with athleticism similar to Warren, will handle the boards and tough defensive assignments for North Lakes.

“Flom will guard everyone from the opposing pointguard to post players,” Yaeger said.

“Flom is a classic highenergy multi-dimensional player.”

The third captain, Ozment, will put in big minutes off the bench. At 6’7”, the senior is able to play in the post as well as on the wing due to solid passing skills.

Other expected contributors include the speedy junior, Dylan Beatty, and Evan Svenkeson, who will show strength on the inside.

Photo by Kat Ladwig

The Huskies return key players this season and hope to improve on last season’s 14-12 record. Captains are Christopher Rosencrantz, Josh Ozment and Cody Warren (back middle from left to right).