8 minute read
Doing good
from The Lowdown
8THE LOWDOWN
STUDIES & SPORTS
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www.presspubs.com MAY 2022
Forest Lake Good Samaritans purchase new bikes for Forest Lake family
BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER
One day while perusing
Facebook, Mike Kaiser saw a post from a Forest Lake resident mentioning that her son, Braxton’s, bike was stolen.
“It was nonconfrontational and all, just asking to bring the bike back, no questions asked, but I saw it and it just broke my heart,” said Kaiser, who is the founder and president of the Forest Lake
Good Samaritans.
Kaiser immediately got to texting and emailing community members and ATHLETES OF THE MONTH after just a few hours, the Good Samaritans raised enough money to purchase a new bike for the boy.
After seeing the generous turnout, Kaiser’s wife, Sonja, *Athletes chosen by Press staff suggested that they purchase bikes for the boy’s parents, so the whole family could go on bike rides together. The family who received the bikes are new to the area and mentioned to the Kaisers that they had heard the term “Minnesota Nice” before but truly felt the sentiment after receiving the new bicycles. “It was the perfect family to help. They just moved here, and we found out the mother has a rare autoimmune illness that can be expensive to manage, so we wanted to help out,” said Kaiser. Good Samaritans of Forest Lake hope that actions like this will create a welcoming community for everyone and inspire folks to spread more kindness. Staff Writer Corinne Stremmel can be reached by calling 651-407-1226 or emailing lowdownnews@presspubs.com.
MIKE KAISER | CONTRIBUTED
President of the Forest Lake Good Samaritans, Mike Kaiser, poses with Braxton and his parents.
Annika Gunderson, a captain on Forest Lake swimming, gymnastics and track teams this year, won the pole vault in the Rangers’ first two meets, going 10-1 at Knights Under the Lights and 10-6 at the Suburban East Conference girls relays. The 5-foot-3 senior also posted a strong 13.34 in the 100 dash for second place in the Knights meet. “She has one of the best marks in Minnesota in pole vault and will be a contender for all-state,” said coach Shane Swanberg. Last year, Gunderson placed third in the section pole vault (10-6) and fourth in the 100 (13.07).
Justin Fretag of Stillwater placed second in both shot put (47-4) and discus (133-2) in a meet of eight Suburban East Conference teams at White Bear Lake. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior won shot put in two meets at Minnesota-Mankato with 50-7 and 49-7. His personal bests are 51-11 in shot and 140-0 in discus. “Justin is a great athlete to work with,” said Paul Wieland, throws coach. “He has a tremendous work ethic and a great mental approach. He’s very steady in preparation and unflappable in competition, which in this sport is a tremendous asset.” Fretag was also the center on the Ponies 8-2 football team. Cole Brisbois, Forest Lake sprinter who reached state in three events last year, has won sprints in three invitationals. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior won the 200 at the University of Minnesota, the 100 at Irondale, and the 200 and 4x100 relay at White Bear Lake. His times of 11.12 and 22.72 rank in the state top ten. “Cole is a huge impact runner for us,” coach Andrew Richardson said. “He is a major point scorer. He is a great leader who always works hard. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the year goes for him.” Brisbois led the Ranger football team with 863 yards from scrimmage (625 rushing, 238 receiving).
ATHLETES OF THE MONTH *Athletes chosen by Press staff
Annika Gunderson, a captain on Forest Lake swimming, gymnastics and track teams this year, won the pole vault in the Rangers’ first two meets, going 10-1 at Knights Under the Lights and 10-6 at the Suburban East Conference girls relays. The 5-foot-3 senior also posted a strong 13.34 in the 100 dash for second place in the Knights meet. “She has one of the best marks in Minnesota in pole vault and will be a contender for all-state,” said coach Shane Swanberg. Last year, Gunderson placed third in the section pole vault (10-6) Cole Brisbois Gaby LaFavor and fourth in the 100 (13.07). Forest Lake Football Stillwater Softball Gaby LaFavor went 4-for-4 with a homer, four RBI’s and three runs in Stillwater’s softball opener, an 18-3 win over Roseville, and is 5-for-8 after two games. A starter since eighth grade, the 5-foot-8, 130-pound senior hit .347 last year with three homers, 15 RBI’s and 17 runs. She has signed with Missouri-Kansas City. “Gaby has all the skills,” coach Angie Ryan said. “She can hit for power and consistency, has good speed, and a solid defensive presence with her glove, range and arm.” LaFavor played outfield In 2019 and 2021 and is now at second and third base. “In the off-season, Gaby put in a lot of work to improve her strength,” Ryan said. “She will be looked to as a leader in 2022.”
Justin Fretag of Stillwater placed second in both shot put (47-4) and discus (133-2) in a meet of eight Suburban East Conference teams at White Bear Lake. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior won shot put in two meets at Minnesota-Mankato with 50-7 and 49-7. His personal bests are 51-11 in shot and 140-0 in discus. “Justin is a great athlete to work with,” said Paul Wieland, throws coach. “He has a tremendous work ethic and a great mental approach. He’s very steady in preparation and unflappable in competition, which in this sport is a tremendous asset.” Fretag was also the center on the Ponies 8-2 football team. Cole Brisbois, Forest Lake sprinter who reached state in three events last year, has won sprints in three invitationals. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior won the 200 at the University of Minnesota, the 100 at Irondale, and the 200 and 4x100 relay at White Bear Lake. His times of 11.12 and 22.72 rank in the state top ten. “Cole is a huge impact runner for us,” coach Andrew Richardson said. “He is a major point scorer. He is a great leader who always works hard. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the year him.” Brisbois led the Ranger football team with
ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Annika Gunderson, a captain on Forest Lake swimming, *Athletes chosen by Press staff gymnastics and track teams this year, won the pole vault in the Rangers’ first two meets, going 10-1 at Knights Under the Lights and 10-6 at the Suburban East Conference girls relays. The 5-foot-3 senior also posted a strong 13.34 in the 100 dash for second place in the Knights meet. “She has one of the best marks in Minnesota in pole vault and will be a contender for all-state,” said coach Shane Swanberg. Last year, Gunderson placed third in the section pole vault (10-6)
Gaby LaFavor went 4-for-4 with a homer, four RBI’s and three runs in Stillwater’s softball opener, an 18-3 win over Roseville, and is 5-for-8 after two games. A starter since eighth grade, the 5-foot-8, 130-pound senior hit .347 last year with three homers, 15 RBI’s and 17 runs. She has signed with Missouri-Kansas City. “Gaby has all the skills,” coach Angie Ryan said. “She can hit for power and consistency, has good speed, and a solid defensive presence with her glove, range and arm.” LaFavor played outfield In 2019 and 2021 and is now at second and third base. “In the off-season, Gaby put in a lot of work to
Justin Fretag of Stillwater placed second in both shot put (47-4) and discus (133-2) in a meet of eight Suburban East Conference teams at White Bear Lake. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior won shot put in two meets at Minnesota-Mankato with 50-7 and 49-7. His personal bests are 51-11 in shot and 140-0 in discus. “Justin is a great athlete to work with,” said Paul Wieland, throws coach. “He has a tremendous work ethic and a great mental approach. He’s very steady in preparation and unflappable in competition, which in this sport is a tremendous asset.” Fretag was also the center on the Ponies 8-2 football team. Cole Brisbois, Forest Lake sprinter who reached state in three events last year, has won sprints in three invitationals. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior won the 200 at the University of Minnesota, the 100 at Irondale, and the 200 and 4x100 relay at White Bear Lake. His times of 11.12 and 22.72 rank in the state top ten. “Cole is a huge impact runner for us,” coach Andrew Richardson said. “He is a major point scorer. He is a great leader who always works hard. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the year him.” Brisbois led the Ranger football team with 863 yards from scrimmage (625 rushing, 238 receiving).
Gaby LaFavor went 4-for-4 with a homer, four RBI’s and three runs in Stillwater’s softball opener, an 18-3 win over Roseville, and is 5-for-8 after two games. A starter since eighth grade, the 5-foot-8, 130-pound senior hit .347 last year with three homers, 15 RBI’s and 17 runs. She has signed with Missouri-Kansas City. “Gaby has all the skills,” coach Angie Ryan said. “She can hit for power and consistency, has good speed, and a solid defensive presence with her glove, range and arm.” LaFavor played outfield In 2019 and 2021 and is now at second and third base. “In the off-season, Gaby put in a lot of work to improve her strength,” Ryan said. “She will be looked to as a leader in 2022.”
