Forest Lake Times Winter Sports Preview

Reaching higheR

With a mix of young talent and veteRan leadeRship, the RangeR

BasketBall giRls look to step up

Thursday, December 1, 2011 2 n D s e c T i o n Vol. 109 no. 29 - $1.00

Winter Sports Preview

Left: Senior Micah McGuiness on senior Sam Anderson. Center: Sophomore Emily Peters. Right: Senior Rachel Bostrom on sophomore Bailey Norby

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If cohesion comes quickly, success

should follow

The Ranger boys’ bas-ketball team could go in several directions this winter without it being a surprise. On one hand, Forest Lake has built its current run of six straight seasons with 15-plus wins on the premise of coach-ing players to step into the system and be imme-diately effective.

On the other hand, this year’s roster bears little resemblance to last year’s 17-11 squad, and almost none to the 2009-10 team which went to state.

Only two players who scored more than 10 field goals last winter are back, so in one way this season will be Dan Cremisino and staff’s biggest test in years.

However, the sixth-year head coach sounds far from worried.

“I feel we have a good system in place, and we worked really hard in the summer and fall on get-ting guys to play,” he said. “They’ve done a good job of getting better.”

There is an unusual hurdle in the develop-ment of the rather inex-perienced squad: Much of the core group has not played together over the years. One senior has been a varsity con-tributor for the past two years, another is new to the high school program and several others have not seen varsity action. There is a junior who was new to the program last year, while a sophomore figures to see significant action.

All in all, no amount of summer and fall league play is enough to get a good feel for what will happen once they hit the floor together.

“It’s an interesting group,” said Cremisino. “It’s taking a piece from here and a piece from there. They haven’t real-ly won together. We’re teaching them how to win right now, and not accept losing.

“The key will be if we can tie this all together. Generally, we’ve been able to in the past.”

The most obvious barometer of the team’s success will be the play of Tyler Rosenberger. The senior guard saw regular minutes on the 2010 state team and became one of the team’s best players as a junior, averaging 12 points. Now, he will be asked to carry a heavy load. Cremisino said Rosenberger will need to shoot from the perimeter and drive to the rim, and he will also be the pri-mary ball-handler.

Senior Matt Hultgren was often the first man off the bench last season. The guard shot 49 per-cent from the floor and brings hustle and tough-ness.

Center Jackson McDowell returns after seeing time as a junior. He will split time in the

post with Noah Davis, a junior who has suited up for varsity for two sea-sons already. With a 6’6” frame, the coaches would love for him to realize his potential. Cremisino said Davis could be as good as any player on the team but needs to be consis-tent.

A highlight of the off-season has been the emergence of Matt Degendorfer, a sopho-more who brings an ace shooting touch. He also has the length and smarts to play the top of the team’s 1-3-1 zone.

Several others from a large group will step into roles as the season goes on. Candidates include seniors Mistaki LaPlante, Hunter Smith, Andrew Wright, Taylor Gullickson and junior Anthony Tyler.

Also, three-time state ten-nis champ Dusty Boyer has returned to basket-ball after three years away. Cremisino said Boyer was the top player in his class upon quitting after eighth grade.

The turnover makes it hard to project, but Cremisino believes this team has an even better upside than last year’s.

Forest Lake hopes to compete with Cretin-Derham Hall, Roseville, Woodbury and White Bear Lake near the top of the Suburban East Conference and secure a top-two seed for the Section 7AAAA tourney.

“Last year was the first time we haven’t been in the sectional final in a number of years, and it felt strange,” Cremisino said.

2011-12 Winter SportS previeW

articles by sports Editor Clint Riese

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3Girls’

Hoops

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4Wrestling

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5Boys’

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6Hockey/

Swimming

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7Nordic/Alpine

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8Gymnastics/Dance Team

Photos by TLC Digital Images

The 2011-12 Ranger basketball team is made up of seven seniors, 10 juniors, one sophomore and one ninth-grader. Left: Seniors Tyler Rosenberger, Jackson McDowell and Hunter Smith will captain the squad.

FL hopes for best from untested bunch

68.5By The Numbers

Team’s winning percent-age in five years under coach Dan Cremisino

“The key will be if we can tie this all together. Generally, we’ve been able to in the past.”– coach Dan Cremisino

RangeR Boys BasketBall• 2010-11 record: 17-11 (SEC: 10-8, T-fourth)• Head coach: Dan Cremisino, sixth year• Assistant coaches: Dan Jacobs, Kevin Keto, Kale Henry, Tim Conley and Doug Sewall• Captains: Seniors Jackson McDowell, Tyler Rosenberger and Hunter Smith• All-Conference returnees: Rosenberger (honorable mention)

BOYSBASKETBALL

12/6 vsCentennial 7:1512/13 atCambridge-isanti 7:3012/15 atroseville 7:1512/19 vsst.FranCis 7:1512/27- Holidaytourney tbd12/28 atalbertlea

1/3 vsC-dHall 7:151/6 atPark 7:151/10 vseastridge 7:151/12 atblaine 7:151/13 vsWoodbury 7:151/17 atstillWater 7:151/20 atHastings 7:151/24 vsmoundsvieW 7:151/27 atWHitebearlake 7:151/31 vsroseville 7:152/3 atC-dHall 7:152/6 vsbiglake 7:152/10 vsPark 7:152/11 vsdulutHeast 7:152/14 ateastridge 7:152/17 atWoodbury 7:152/21 vsstillWater 7:152/24 vsHastings 7:152/28 atmoundsvieW 7:153/2 vsWHitebearlake 7:153/8-16 seCtiontourney tbd3/21-24 statetourney tbd

aRound the seCCretin reached the state semifinals last season, and returning senior

Cortez Tillman made the all-state-tourney team

QuiCk hits• Team has intriguing mix

of talent but little varsity experience

• Goals remain high after sixth straight season with at least 15 wins

File Photo

Senior Matt Hultgren will step into a bigger role as one of Forest Lake’s few varsity members with sig-nificant experience.

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The 2011-12 Rangers include, front row: Angie Frericks, Hanna Vidlund, Abby Moeller, Kallie Welk, Rachel Bostrom, Sam Anderson, Micah McGuiness, Lindsey Tilton, Emily Peters, Hailey Knoop and Sarah Jaeb. Back row: coach Maurya Laqua, coach Roger Keller, coach Shannon Schutte, Andie Wohlk, KP Palo, Bailey Norby, Anna Eckert, Miranda Rice, head coach Jen Wagner, coach Renee Frericks and coach Chris Rupar.

Experienced, youthful both describe FL

File photo

Emily Peters looks to be a key part of the Ranger attack in her second varsity season.

3By The Numbers

The three captains are the only seniors on the varsity

roster of 16

“We are just hoping to build on that win-loss column with the experience that we have coming back.”– coach Jen Wagner

GIRLSBASKETBALL

11/29 vsTarTan12/2 aTToTino-Grace 7:1512/6 aTchisaGoLakes 7:1512/8 aTMahToMedi 712/9 vsMoundsview 7:1512/13 aTwhiTeBearLake 7:1512/16 vsroseviLLe 7:1512/20 vscaMBridGe-isanTi 7:1512/27-28roGersTourney 71/3 aTc-dhaLL 7:151/6 vsPark 7:151/10 aTeasTridGe 7:151/13 aTwoodBury 7:151/14 aTduLuTheasT 31/17 vssTiLLwaTer 7:151/20 vshasTinGs 7:151/24 aTMoundsview 7:151/27 vswhiTeBearLake 7:151/31 aTroseviLLe 7:152/3 vsc-dhaLL 7:152/10 aTPark 7:152/14 vseasTridGe 7:152/17 vswoodBury 7:152/21 aTsTiLLwaTer 7:152/24 aThasTinGs 7:153/1-9 secTionTourney TBd3/14-17 sTaTeTourney TBd

Around the SeCWoodbury head coach Dave Preller has retired after 32 years, 533 wins and 16 conference titles

QuiCk hitS• Most key contributors

return

• Varsity is carrying four ninth-graders on roster

• Team aims for first win-ning season in three years

Several key cogs back for team which hopes to surprise

Nothing says potential like youth and experience. The Ranger basketball girls have just that, and they are shooting to get over the .500 mark for the first time in three years.

The Rangers essentially return four starters, and have only three seniors despite graduating just three this spring. The whole did not equal the sum of its parts last win-ter, as Forest Lake lost 10 of its last 11 games and finished 7-20. However, the Rangers played com-petitively in their final few contests, and the younger girls got loads of valuable playing time.

“We had a fairly young, fairly inexperienced team,” said coach Jen Wagner. “We also had a really hard-working group of girls who over the sea-son I really thought devel-oped to become better

basketball players. “Obviously in the win-

loss column it wasn’t as successful as we’d like it to be, but for us as a staff and talking as a team we really felt like we were able to accomplish our goals...Now, we are just hoping to build on that win-loss column with the experience that we have coming back.”

The offense figures to center around two soph-omores. Bailey Norby, a 6’1” post who earned all-conference honors, enters her third year as a starter. Long a force on the blocks, the coaches hope she continues to develop consistency and more of an outside game.

A key story line last sea-son was the emergence of Emily Peters. The 5’6” guard won more and more playing time off the bench as the year went on and became

a go-to player down the stretch.

“She surprised me a little bit as the year went

on just b e c a u s e you never know what y o u ’ r e going to get with young-er kids,” W a g n e r said. “I knew she was a com-

petitor, I knew she was fearless and was wanting to be that player to help her teammates win.”

Junior Angie Frericks is the returning starter at small forward, while senior Sam Anderson returns to start at power forward. Anderson, who stands 6’0”, formed a nice tandem with Norby in the post last year, and joins fellow seniors Micah McGuiness and Rachel Bostrom as captains. McGuiness and Bostrom are slated to join Peters as the primary guards.

The rest of the 16-mem-ber roster is young, as well. Sophomore Anna Eckert brings another six-foot frame to the post. One of four ninth-graders on varsity, Hanna Vidlund has shown potential on the perimeter.

Most of the team

played together through summer and fall league and Wagner is impressed with the strides made.

“We’re definitely a com-petitive group, and they’re basketball players - all of them are playing compet-itively in the off-season, they’re working on their game individually, they’re coming to our practices, they’re doing what they need to do to get better,” she said.

The Rangers will have to come together nicely to crack the upper ech-elon of what has been a top-heavy conference in recent years. White Bear Lake, Woodbury and Mounds View have each won at least 17 games for at least three years running. Led by all-state guard Alexis Foley, the Bears may be favored to defend their SEC title and return to state.

With three coaching changes in the Suburban East Conference, though, the door may be open.

Last year, Anoka proved that Section 7AAAA can be favorable to which-ever team is hot. The Tornadoes entered the postseason with a record of 2-24, then rattled off four straight wins to reach state.

“If anything, it proves to teams all over the state that you have to believe and you have to keep working,” said Wagner.

With many pieces in place, count the Rangers as believers.

rAnger girlS BASketBAll • 2010-11 record: 7-20 (SEC: 4-14, eighth)• Head coach: Jen Wagner, seventh year• Assistant coaches: Renee Frericks, Shannon Schutte, Roger Keller, Chris Rupar and Maurya Laqua• Captains: Seniors Sam Anderson, Rachel Bostrom and Micah McGuiness• All-Conference returnees: Sophomore Bailey Norby

Angie Frericks

Bailey Norby

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19By The Numbers

Years since the Rangers reached the state

tournament as a team

“We have the horses. We have good kids and I feel we have pretty good experience at every weight class.”– coach Billy Pierce

RangeR WRestling• 2010-11 record: 19-8 (SEC: 8-1, second)• Head coach: Billy Pierce, fifth year• Assistant coaches: Gordy Morgan, Joe Kunshier, Tony Harris, Jordan Kolbow and Ben Dahmes• Captains: Seniors Tyler Isaacson, Ben Morgan, Cody Paggen, Ryder Paggen and Michael Pleski• All-Conference returnees: Senior Austin Boniface.

Honorable mention: Isaacson, Morgan, Cody Paggen, Ryder Paggen, James Pleski, Michael Pleski, junior Jeremy McLaughlin and senior Mike Urban

WRESTLING12/3 atSt.Michael-alb. 9 invitational

12/8 atWhitebearlake 712/15 atMoundSvieW 712/16- rocheSterinvite 212/17 9:3012/22 vSeaStridge 7:3012/30- rocheSterchriStMaS 912/31 tournaMent 91/5 vScoonrapidS 71/12 vSpark 71/19 atWoodbury 71/21 atcaMbridge-iSanti 91/26 vSroSeville,c-dhall tbd1/28 vSStillWater 91/28 rangerinvite 92/2 athaStingS 72/9 vSeaStridge 72/17 teaMSectional 4 atSt.Michael-alb.2/24- individualSectional 3:302/25 atelkriver 113/1- StatetournaMent tbd3/3 atSt.paul

aRound the seCWhite Bear Lake won the state consolation title last

winter and comes into 2011-12 ranked eighth

QuiCk hits• Four state qualifiers lead

solid lineup

• Section 7 has five teams ranked in top 10: St. Michael-Albertville, Forest Lake, Coon Rapids, Cambridge-Isanti and Anoka

FL must dig deep to get through loaded section

Forest Lake has clearly established itself as an upper-echelon wrestling program in recent years. The Rangers have been consistent in not only sending grapplers to the state tournament, but hav-ing them succeed there. So consistent, in fact, that the question begs to be asked: what’s next?

Will the program contin-ue to develop stellar indi-vidual wrestlers only to be stonewalled when it comes to team goals? Or will this be the year the Rangers break through and take the Suburban East Conference title or even knock off the big boys in the state’s best section?

Early on in practice this winter, the coaches told the group of nine seniors that they had taken them about as far as they could. Whether the team would take the next step boils down to a matter of heart.

“It’s their team,” said head coach Billy Pierce. “Where do they want to take it? Individually and as a team, where to they want to take themselves?”

The team has the talent and expe-rience to make it a very special season if the necessary intangibles turn up. Having lost just a handful of seniors, holes in the line-up are few and far between for a squad which reached the finals of the vaunted Section 7AAA in 2010-11. Forest Lake’s potential is mirrored in a fourth-place ranking in the preseason state poll.

“It’s exciting, but kind of scary at the same time,” Pierce said. “We have the horses, though. We have good kids and I feel we have pretty good experi-ence at every weight class. I think we’re going to put out a pretty solid lineup.”

Four returning state qualifiers will lead the way. This season is Ben Morgan’s final chance to again reach the top of the state podi-um. Since winning state in 2008 he has finished third in three straight seasons while becoming the pro-gram’s all-time wins lead-er. If the future Nebraska Cornhusker stays in the 132-pound weight class, he

will have tough competi-tion, as evidenced by his No. 3 ranking. Top-ranked Mitch Bengston of St. Cloud Apollo and No. 2 Dakota Trom of Apple Valley are both multiple-time state champions. Morgan could also wrestle at 126.

Fellow senior captains Tyler Isaacson and Michael Pleski are both ranked second and seek their first state title. At 138 pounds, Isaacson is behind Cambridge-Isanti’s Austin Liebel. Isaacson took third at 112 as a sophomore and fourth at 119 as a junior.

Pleski is ranked behind Cole Sladek of St. Michael-Albertville at 126. Pleski took fourth at 103 as a sopho-more and won two matches at state as a 112-pound junior.

His brother, James Pleski, is

ranked sixth at 113 pounds. The ninth-grader is coming off a breakthrough season in which he went 26-16 and reached state at 103.

“He just has a certain kind of confidence and swagger to him,” Pierce said. “Not cocky, just con-fident and you know when he goes out there that he is going to brawl and make a match out of it with any-body. He’s just a fun guy to watch.”

Between ninth-grad-ers Dean Beggs and Luke McCord, the Rangers should be in good hands at 106. Though both are varsity newcomers, they were longtime members of the Ranger youth program and had success on the state level there.

“They’ll duke it out for that No. 1 spot and it should be fun to watch those two develop and push each other,” Pierce said.

The 119 spot is likely

to be filled by one of three juniors: Hunter Hallstrom, Andrew Meyers or Austin Rizzo.

The middle weights are full of veterans who the team is depending on to continue to improve. Cody Paggen will have a shot to emerge at 145.

“He’s been about a .500 wrestler,” Pierce said. “I look to see him getting 25-30 wins this year and going out as a senior and not just being part of the team but being an effective member of the team and making a statement out there.”

The same expectations could go for his brother, Ryder, at 160.

Austin Boniface stepped up with 25 wins at 140 as a junior, narrowly missing a trip to state.

“It would’ve been great for him to win last year to give him a taste of that next level but I also think it bothered him enough, it burned him enough that he worked extremely hard this summer,” Pierce said. “He’s developing, he’s maturing very much and starting to become a leader.”

Senior Mike Urban brings athleticism to the 160-170 range and has hung with very tough var-sity opponents before.

Forest Lake figures to be more competitive at the upper weights than it has been in a few years. Tommy Longfellow will get a crack at 182. The senior was away from the sport for a few years before returning last season and is still developing.

“He’s really took to the sport and is motivated and has put a lot of hard work in,” Pierce said. “Just by doing that he should improve his ability and

hopefully that parlays into some good results.”

Forced into duty at heavyweight, Jeremy McLaughlin was one of last season’s best surprises. He emerged with over 20 vic-tories and now looks to lock down the job at 195 pounds. Pierce praises the junior’s attitude and says he could top out with 25 wins and a trip to state.

Junior Aaron Calhoun is in line to see action at 215. The varsity newcomer has a big frame and is still developing.

Senior heavyweight Luke Lennon is back in top form after missing a year due to injury.

“Man, he feels so solid and strong and hard to move,” Pierce said. “Give him a little bit of time and he’s going to have a good season.”

That lineup should be able to carve up most of the Suburban East Conference, but it may not be enough to survive Section 7AAA. St. Michael-Albertville is ranked second in the state, Coon Rapids fifth, Cambridge-Isanti seventh and Anoka 10th.

A good goal for the Rangers would be to finally get past state powerhouse Hastings and win the SEC title. The third-ranked Raiders host Forest Lake on Feb. 2.

Whether in section or conference play or at load-ed invitationals, Forest Lake will face plenty of top-notch competition. However, Pierce believes the team should never be overwhelmed.

“I feel this is a really good team in that we’re not going to give up big points,” he said. “We’ll be in every match.”

Austin Boniface

Fourth-ranked Rangers aim to get over hump

Photos by Clint Riese

The 2011-12 Ranger wrestling team hopes to qualify for the team state meet for the first time since 1993. Below: Five seniors will captain the team. From left: Tyler Isaacson, Ben Morgan, Cody Paggen, Michael Pleski and Ryder Paggen.

Luke Lennon

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1/24By The Numbers

Top-ranked Duluth East pays a visit here Jan. 24 for

a battle of section rivals

“The goal is to be playing at the Xcel Center in March. I can’t say that every year.”– coach Aaron Forsythe

RangeR Boys Hockey • 2010-11 record: 9-13-4 (SEC: 6-8-4, sixth)• Head coach: Aaron Forsythe, fifth year• Assistant coaches: Chris Parrucci, Jon Loo, Matt Fenno, Bill Coleman and Dan Forsythe• Captains: Seniors Tommy Tyson, CJ Franklin and Lucas Kohls• All-Conference returnees: Franklin and Kohls Honorable mention: Tyson

BOYS HOCKEY12/1 vsRoseville 7:3012/2 atGRandRapids 7:3012/6 vsst.Michael/alb. 7:3012/8 vspaRk 7:3012/10 atWoodbuRy 7:3012/15 vsMoundsvieW 7:3012/17 atWhitebeaRlake 7:3012/22 atcloquet 7:3012/27 schWancup tbd12/28 schWancup tbd1/5 vseastRidGe 7:301/7 vsc-dhall 7:301/12 athastinGs 7:301/14 atstillWateR 8:001/19 atRoseville 7:301/21 atpaRk 7:301/24 vsdulutheast 6:001/26 vsWoodbuRy 7:301/28 atMoundsvieW 7:302/2 atc-dhall 7:302/4 ateastRidGe 3:002/9 vsWhitebeaRlake 7:302/11 vshastinGs 7:302/16 vsstillWateR 7:302/18- section7aatouRney tbd3/13/7-10 statetouRney tbd

aRound tHe secStillwater’s Blake Cates was fourth in the state

with a save percentage of .932 last winter

Quick Hits• Offense sure to pack a

punch with skilled scorers

• Two goalies continue to vie for playing time

• Preseason polls say SEC is there for the taking

Skilled forwards capable of

scoring in droves

The pucks will be flying this winter at Lichtscheidl Arena, and Ranger fans should come early for a good seat. Forest Lake should be among the state’s most exciting teams to watch.

A high-octane offense will be led by a deep crew of forwards that may be unrivaled in the state this year.

“This is the deepest set of forwards that I’m ever aware of us hav-ing in Forest Lake, ever, and I’ve been around the program for a long time,” said coach Aaron Forsythe. “It’s almost like a situation where we can throw out a 1-A (line) and a 1-B and go. And our third line isn’t a third line, either, which is a luxury.”

Two of the most accomplished scorers in program history will line up on the ends of the first line. Senior Lucas Kohls enters his third varsity season in eighth place on the career points list with 85. He needs 34 more to pass 2000 gradu-ate Bryan Peltier for the top spot.

Senior CJ Franklin is also in shouting dis-tance. He is tied for 10th in Ranger history with 73 points.

The standouts com-peted this fall as part of the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League. They helped Team Northeast go 10-7-4 and place fourth in the nine-team league.

Sophomore Brett Gravelle will line up between Franklin and Kohls. The varsity new-comer is undersized but has vision that cannot be taught.

“He’s just a little play-making forward,” Forsythe said. “He sees the ice very well, and if

you put someone who sees the ice well and can get pucks to those two, they’re going to be suc-cessful.”

Another returning 20-point scor-er, senior T o m m y T y s o n , headlines a fast and p h y s i c a l s e c o n d line. Senior JT Jurasin will center Tyson and Kyle VanTassel, a senior who emerged with 16 points last winter.

Experienced junior Kyle Parker and sopho-more Wes Kilpela are the third-line wings. Juniors Trevor Thompson and Cody Rogala will com-pete for ice time as the third-line center.

Forsythe said there is no rhyme or reason to the glut of forward talent, but feels it will give the team an identity it lacked last winter, when Forest

Lake fell to 9-13-4 com-ing off a Suburban East Conference title in 2010.

“You can’t recruit, you just get what you get,” he said. “Two years ago

when we won the conference our team r e v o l v e d around the blue line and this year it will be differ-ent.”

There is some sorting out to be done on the defensive front. Sophomore Jesse Garcia and junior Brian Levorson are stride-for-stride in the goalie com-petition coming into the season. Forsythe said he is comfortable with either but will not be afraid to ride the hot hand.

Last year’s primary net-minder, Paige Skoog, moved to Duluth and will suit up with Section 7AA rival Duluth East for his senior season.

A few varsity letterwin-ners return to the blue line. Senior Taylor Bisbee was one of the team’s main defenders last year. Senior Eric Herbert saw time as well, and made big strides in the off-sea-son. Junior Jack Schmidt was in the mix as well last year, but will be out until at least January with an ankle injury suffered in football.

Overall, competition was fierce as the staff formed the roster of 31. Nearly 50 boys tried out.The result is expecta-tions that are the highest in years.

“There’s no question this is a team that’s going to contend for the confer-ence title and anything less is going to be disap-pointing,” Forsythe said.

The SEC is not get-ting much love in the preseason polls. At 18th, defending conference champ White Bear Lake is the lone squad to crack the top 20.

It’s a very different story in Section 7AA. Duluth East tops the polls, while Grand Rapids comes in ninth and Elk River 16th. The section expands to nine this win-ter with the addition of St. Michael-Albertville. The Knights went 11-12-4 last year and fell in the second round of the Section 5A tourney.

Forest Lake expects a big bounce-back season, and Forsythe liked what he saw in pre-season scrimmages.

“I really believe that Grand Rapids and Duluth East, you could put both of those teams at No. 1 in the state before the sea-son starts and not have a problem with that,” he said. “That being said, we can play with both of those teams. The goal is to be playing at the Xcel Center in March. I can’t say that every year, but that is the case.”


The 2011-12 Ranger varsity roster includes eight seniors, 10 juniors, 12 sophomores and one ninth-grader. Right: Seniors CJ Franklin, Tommy Tyson and Lucas Kohls are captains.

State’s the goal for front-loaded crew

Brian Levorson

Kyle VanTassel

File photo

Senior JT Jurasin is among six returning lettermen at the forward position.

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Young team to build on momentum

Last winter, a big mix of seniors and underclassmen melded together and produced a season the Ranger boys’ swim team could be proud of. Forest Lake went 4-3-1 in the Suburban East Conference, took second at the True Team sec-tion meet and third at the Section 7AA championships.

Coach Barbara Vailodash did not use that to inspire the 2011-12 team during its first practice of the year on Monday. Instead, she dug deeper into program’s history, imploring the crew of about 40 to work hard to get back to the glory days where the team won three section meets and three True Team section titles from 2004-2007.

The high standards will take much effort as the team gradu-ated a big group of seniors this spring. However, as Vailodash told the team, enough talent remains in place. Most of it is young, as just two returning members are seniors.

One of them, Erik Klein, is an all-conference honoree. Klein hit 58.05 in the 100 backstroke last year, good for fifth in program his-tory.

The team should be strong in the 200 IM, as Bryan Fleming and Stefan Albright paced the team with good marks on their way to honorable mention all-confer-ence honors. Both are now sopho-mores.

Those two join ninth-grader Corey Bahr as the top returning swimmers in the 100 fly. Fleming has finished in under 1:00 in that event.

Junior Evan Woehl, another honorable mention all-conference pick, will again be counted on in the 100 breaststroke.

Two more honorable mention selections head up the distance

events. Junior Joe Goossens and sophomore Joel Stomberg were team leaders in the 500 and the 200 freestyle. Senior Nathan Merrier should contribute in these events, as well as the breaststroke.

With the graduation of program record-holder Dylan Gillespie, it’s the sprint events where the Rangers have the most uncertainty at this point. Ninth-grader Gunnar Ewert figures to play a role, along with Fleming.

New diving coach Bob Andresen brings decades of experience at

the club, high school and colle-giate level. He will work with a small crew led by ninth-grader Nick Burger. Vailodash has known Andresen for years. She is also the head coach for the Roseville girls, and he worked with them this fall.

Overall, Vailodash feels good about most positions and thinks the team can continue its rise.

“With the numbers and how spread out (the talent) is, we defi-nitely have that opportunity,” she said.

New coach likes team’s depth

The Ranger girls’ hockey program is starting fresh. Record-breaking Audrey Hanmer is off to St. Cloud State, and former head coach Jeff Neidt resigned after three years on the bench.

In steps Ryan Sauter and a lineup sprinkled with a good mix of ages. The new coach is going back to the basics. There is noth-ing fancy in his game plan, he said, and he is focusing on teaching the ins and outs of the sport, with an emphasis on situational nuances.

The former Roseville girls’ assistant has good reason to want to succeed. A main reason he took the job was to secure the pro-gram’s future for his young daughters.

“I wanted them to have a place to play and I saw that this program could go either way in the next years as far as numbers,” he said.

In the meantime, Sauter

inherited a squad he is familiar with, as he was the JV assistant here last winter. He also headed up the team’s summer pro-gram. So far, he likes what he sees.

“We feel like we have three lines that are pretty solid,” Sauter said. “We have no qualms about putting any of the those lines out against any other team.”

On the first line, sopho-more Alexa Bremer cen-ters for senior Rachel Hartshorn and senior Brittni Kelbe. The latter moved from Florida in the off-season and the coaches moved her from defense because they saw scoring ability.

A determined second line features ninth-grader Kennedy Crever at center with junior Lexi Carpenter and senior Haley Huberty on the wings.

Senior Sadie Nelson centers a third line along-side senior Katie Boleen and up-and-coming eighth-grader Kaitlyn VanTassel.

Sauter has seen the defensive tandem of senior

Alex White and sophomore Rachel Skoglund make strides since the start of camp. Behind them, eighth-grader Nicole Langer, soph-omore Becca Neumann and junior Karlyn Ristrom will also fight for ice time.

Forest Lake will lean on junior Abbi White for a sec-ond year in the net.

“Definitely from last year to this year, I’ve seen just miles of work as far as personality and ability,” Sauter said of White.

Sauter has implement-ed several efforts to keep the team on track mentally. The girls made extensive goals before the year, and

each week are paired up to remind each other of what it will take to reach them.

“Basically, they’re tired of being the knock-around kids,” Sauter said. “They want to win more than they lose.”

The schedule is as hard as ever, but Sauter wel-comes the grind.

“I tell the girls all the time we’re very fortunate to be able to play against these teams to get us pre-pared for the ultimate goal, which is to get to that sec-tion final game and have a chance to play in the state tournament,” he said.

16By The Numbers

Last winter marked the first time in 16 years FL

posted a winning conference record

“With the numbers and how spread out the talent is, we definitely have an opportunity.”– coach Barbara Vailodash

RangeR Boys swim/Dive• 2010-11 record: 4-3-1 in SEC, third in section• Head coach: Barbara Vailodash, ninth year• Assistant coaches: Kim Jones and Bob Andresen• Captains: Senior Nathan Merrier and sophomore Joel Stomberg• All-Conference returnees: Senior Erik Klein Honorable mention: Stomberg, juniors Joe Goossens and Evan Woehl and sophomores Stefan Albright and Bryan Fleming

SWIMMING/DIVING

12/8 SECRElayS 5:30 atStillwatER

12/15 atRoSEvillE 6:0012/20 vSwhitEBEaRlakE 6:001/5 vSMoundSviEw 6:001/10 vSStillwatER 6:001/12 atEaStRidgE 6:001/14 tRuEtEaMSECtionS tBd atCoonRapidS

1/19 vSpaRk 6:001/26 atwoodBuRy 6:002/2 athaStingS 6:002/9 vSC-dhall 6:002/18 JvSECMEEt 12 atStillwatER

2/23- SECtion7aaMEEt tBd2/25 atCoonRapidS

3/1- StatEMEEt tBd3/3 atuniv.ofMinnESota

aRounD the seCMounds View (5th), Stillwater (9th) and

Woodbury (12th) placed in state’s top dozen in 2010-11

QuiCk hits• Deep junior and sopho-

more classes a strength of team on the rise

• Veteran diving coach Bob Andresen comes on board

Photo by Clint Riese

Senior Nathan Merrier and sophomore Joel Stomberg are captains.

Rangers aim to bring back glory days

-1.5By The Numbers

Average goal differential from last year, when Rangers went 5-18-3

“They’re tired of being the knock-around kids. They want to win more than they lose.”– coach Ryan Sauter

RangeR giRls hoCkey• 2010-11 record: 5-18-3 (SEC: 3-13-2, T-eighth)• Head coach: Ryan Sauter, first year• Assistant coaches: Paul Bailey, Rick Shelafoe and Kelsey Blum• Captains: Seniors Rachel Hartshorn, Sadie Nelson Katie Boleen and junior Lexi Carpenter• Honorable mention all-conference returnees: Boleen and Nelson

GIRLS HOCKEY11/12 vSCloquEt 1-111/15 atSt.fRanCiS 3-011/17 atpRoCtoR 2-311/22 athaStingS 1-411/29 vSwhitEBEaRlakE12/3 atpaRk 3:0012/6 atStillwatER 7:3012/8 atduluthdEnfEld 7:0012/10 vSwoodBuRy 7:3012/13 atEaStRidgE 7:3012/17 vSRoSEvillE 7:3012/20 atC-dhall 7:3012/27- holidaytouRnEy tBd12/29 atRoSEau

1/3 vSMoundSviEw 7:301/7 vShaStingS 3:001/10 atwhitEBEaRlakE 7:301/14 vSpaRk 7:301/17 vSStillwatER 7:301/21 atRoSEvillE 7:301/24 vSEaStRidgE 8:151/28 atwoodBuRy 3:001/31 vSC-dhall 7:302/4 atMoundSviEw 7:302/9-16 SECtiontouRnEy tBd2/22-25 StatEtouRnEy tBd

aRounD the seCRoseville (4th), White Bear Lake (6th) and

Stillwater (7th) ranked in state’s top 10

QuiCk hits• Goals high as team lost

only two to graduation

• New coach focusing on teaching basics, fostering good work ethic


The 2011-12 Ranger girls’ hockey team is off to a 1-2-1 start. Below: Sadie Nelson, Rachel Hartshorn, Katie Boleen and Lexi Carpenter are captains.

Seasoned team ready to start fresh

Page 6A – Thursday, December 1, 2011 – Forest Lake Times www.forestlaketimes.com

Ranger girls may figure in postseason meets

Forest Lake fans may have to wait awhile to see what they have in their alpine ski teams this win-ter. For one thing, the first meet has already been pushed back a week to Dec. 13 with the hope

for suitable condi-tions by then. More importantly, how-ever, the Rangers are minus some key parts from last year in both the girls’ and boys’ lineups.

“Our team is pret-ty young, which is a good thing, but we lost some real big chunks of upper-classmen last year,” said co-head coach Kyle Oberg. “It will be interesting.”

Last winter, Shane Sampair and Tyler Brunjes led a deep crew of seniors boys to a runner-up finish in the Suburban East Conference. This

year, the search is on for replace-ments to fill their bindings. Senior Cody Eggers is a multi-year var-sity member, and eighth-grader Marty Longsdorf played a role last year, but the lineup is most-ly open. Fortunately, Oberg and Grant Lindemer have over 15 can-didates to sort through.

Participation among the girls

is also solid at about a dozen. Despite the loss of a couple seniors and underclassmen, the Rangers have the potential to fig-ure into the conference and sec-tion races.

Senior Krista Kirchner, junior Kellie Welch, junior Melissa Mackey, sophomore Maddi Gemunden and sophomore Sydney Halley all have varsity experience.

“As far as the core, a lot of the hard-working, talented skiers

are there,” Oberg said. “The girls’ team is going to be exciting. Last year as far as conference results, they were down a little bit (in fifth place), but they’re right there if they put everything together.”

Last winter, the Stillwater boys won the SEC, along with the East Ridge girls. Centennial took the boys’ Section 7 title and Hermantown won the girls’ com-petition.

Three individual state qualifiers hope to go back with teammates

The Ranger nordic skiers are entering the 2011-2012 season locked in on one goal: to have the boys’ and girls’ teams reach state together for the first time since 2005.

The boys went to state each year from that season through 2010, and the girls nearly made it last season. This winter, both groups are poised for a return, and their hopes are boosted by Roseville’s departure from Section 4.

Girls ridinG momentumThe girls enjoyed a breakout

campaign last winter, winning the Suburban East Conference for the first time since 2005. Though Roseville bounced back to beat the Rangers at the section meet, Forest Lake sent four girls to state individually, where they stole the spotlight. The four each finished in the top 15 of the skate portion. Had their scores counted toward a team total, they would have placed second.

“Everybody knows the real story (of the state meet),” said coach Deno Johnson, adding that he has never seen a performance like it.

Two of the state quali-fiers return, and while the program’s numbers are small, Johnson feels he has the lineup to reach state as a team and contend.

“Once again, we’re look-ing at a team with a ton of talent and toughness,” he said. “You have the smaller numbers, of course, but they’re going to race. It’s gonna be fun.”

Just a ninth-grader, Rocci Wohlk could be among the first to hit the finish line at the state meet at Giant’s Ridge on Feb. 16. Wohlk earned all-state honors with a 12th-place time of 33:58 last season. She is equally adept at the skate and classic disciplines, Johnson said.

Cassie Thobe is poised for a big senior season. She excels in skate races and has a knack for ris-ing to the occasion at big meets, Johnson said. The two-time state competitor has worked hard on her classical technique and could also be in the mix for all-state hon-ors after placing 43rd as a junior.

Two other varsity regulars return. Senior Holly Winberg is a hard-working leader who devel-oped into an all-conference per-former last season in just her second season in the sport. Sophomore Jess Greeley missed the all-conference cut-off by two spots.

Johnson expects eighth-grader Kate Schaaf to score points regu-larly by finishing in the team’s top five.

Ninth-grader Molly Meed com-peted under Johnson in cross country this fall and also trained in his Nordicwerks rollerski program over the summer. Seventh-grader Madilyn Anderson comes from a skiing family and has shown good form.

Stillwater and Roseville have long been among the state’s elite, so the SEC race should be a dog fight. Led by top-10 state finisher Nora Gilbertson, the Ponies will also be a formidable opponent in

the section meet.“We’re going for it,”

Johnson said. “We’ve got battles on our hands, with Stillwater and Roseville in the conference. We’re defend-ing conference champs, and we do have the top five to defend that thing.”

Boys aim to reBoundFor the Ranger boys, it’s

all about getting back on the horse. The state’s pre-mier team of the last decade fell to third behind Roseville and Stillwater in the confer-ence and section last win-ter.

With four boys return-ing to the front end of the varsity lineup, the question will not be if Forest Lake

bounces back, but how much.“We kind of knew what was

going to happen last year with some monster skiers graduating, but all the kids that are back have trained with us now and they know what’s expected of them, and they’ll definitely be getting stronger,” Johnson said.

Leading the charge will be senior Joe Jackson, a three-time state competitor who took third last season with a time of 29:14. State champ Ben Saxton of Lakeville North was the only other underclassman in the top nine, and the two are expected to battle for the top prize again. Jackson is coming off physical therapy for a hip flexor, but it is not expected to

be a lingering issue.Alex Kelley emerged as a junior,

placing 11th in the SEC and 12th in the section. He is the squad’s captain as a senior.

Jacob Jankowski is recover-ing from a foot injury, but if the junior’s cross-country improve-ment is any indication, he could fly up the rankings this winter. His 15th-place showing at the 2011 SEC meet earned him all-confer-ence honors.

Jack Ebel was also a varsity regular as a sophomore.

A wave of younger skiers is headed by Tommy Babcock, an eighth-grader for whom Johnson has high hopes. Ninth-graders Quinn Duffy and Leo Hipp could also contribute.

Roseville boasts an elite trio atop the lineup, so at conference events the trick for Forest Lake will be to sneak as many finishers as possible in before the fourth Raider hits the finish line. Like always, Stillwater will be a tough conference foe, and the Ponies will be the biggest challenge in the section.

“There’s going to be no letting up,” Johnson said. “Stillwater’s going to be formidable, that’s for sure, but what I like about our guys is they will not let their guard down.”

Rocci Wohlk

State or bust for stacked nordic teams

4/5By The Numbers

Krista Kirchner took first on the team in four out of five SEC races last season

“Our team is pretty young, which is a good thing, but we lost some big chunks of upper-classmen. It will be interesting.”– coach Kyle Oberg

ranGer alpine skiinG• 2010-11 record (boys): 2nd in SEC, 5th in Section 7• 2010-11 record (girls): 5th in SEC, 9th in Section 7• Head coaches: Kyle Oberg, seventh year; Grant Lindemer, second year• Captains: Senior Cody Eggers, senior Krista Kirchner and junior Kellie Welch• All-Conference returnees (boys): none• All-Conference returnees (girls): Kirchner. Honorable mention: Welch

ALPINE SKIING12/13 SECMEEt 4:30 ataftonalpS

12/16 WildMountaininvitEtBd

1/3 SECMEEt 4:30 atWildMountain

1/10 SECMEEt 4:30 atWElChvillagE

1/17 SECMEEt 4:30 ataftonalpS

1/24 SECSkatERaCE tBd atCoMog.C.

2/7 SECtion7MEEt tBd atgiant’SRidgE

2/15 StatEMEEt tBd atgiant’SRidgE

around the seCEast Ridge’s Elizabeth Kopi-uck took sixth at state as a

sophomore last year, helping the Raptors place sixth

QuiCk hits• Boys’ team hit hard by

graduation

• Girls have potential to build on fifth-place confer-ence finish

Much yet to be determined for young alpine ski squads

8By The Numbers

2011 was first time in eight years without at least one Forest Lake team at state

“We’re looking at a team with a ton of talent and toughness. Smaller numbers, but they’re going to race. It’s gonna be fun.”– coach Deno Johnson

ranGer nordiC skiinG• 2010-11 boys’ record: Third in SEC, third in section• 2010-11 girls’ record: First in SEC, second in section• Head coach: Deno Johnson, 14th year• Assistant coach: Dave Johnson• Captains: Seniors Alex Kelley and Cassie Thobe• All-Conference returnees (boys): Kelley, senior Joe

Jackson and junior Jacob Jankowski• All-Conference returnees (girls): Thobe, senior Holly Winberg and ninth-grader Rocci Wohlk

NORDIC SKIING12/6 flinvitE-5kSkatE tBd attRollhaugEn

12/9 WEStRaSpRintS tBd attRollhaugEn

12/13 SECgRadElEvEl tBd atlESBolStadg.C.12/15 RangERpuRSuit10k 4 attRollhaugEn

12/21 SECSkatERaCE tBd atCoMog.C.1/3 SEC8kClaSSiC tBd atWilliaMo’BRiEn

1/7 giant’SRidgEinvitE tBd inBiWaBik

1/10 SECRElayRaCE tBd atgREEnaCRES

1/16 MlkpuRSuit tBd atBattlECREEkpaRk

2/1 SECChaMpionShip tBd atBattlECREEkpaRk

2/9 SECtion4MEEt tBd atBattlECREEkpaRk

2/16 StatEMEEt tBd atgiant’SRidgE,BiWaBik

around the seCRoseville’s girls placed

third in the SEC last sea-son, only to win sections and take second at state

QuiCk hits• Top-end talent returns

for boys and girls

• Roseville’s Section 4 exodus eases path to state

• After placing third, Joe Jackson seeks state title

Joe Jackson

Kellie Welch

File photo

Senior Cody Eggers will play an expanded role on the boys’ alpine ski team, which lost many seniors from last year’s talented squad. He is one of just two senior boys on the team this winter.

Krista Kirchner

File photos

Above: Cassie Thobe will try to reach state for a third time this winter. Bottom left: Alex Kelley developed into an all-conference performer as a junior.

www.forestlaketimes.com� Thursday,�December�1�–�Forest�Lake�Times�–�Page�7A

Team with no seniors focused on development

Ashley Brett’s second year as head gymnastics coach may play out much like her first. Last winter, a young group exceeded expectations and fin-ished in the top half of its conference and section.

With no seniors, this season’s crew is even younger. And with just 15 girls on the roster, the focus again will be on learning skills and improving scores while establishing a base for future success.

“We didn’t have a ton of experi-ence back (last year) and it will be kind of the same this year,” Brett said. “But I’m hoping that after we get through this year we will be building.”

The team hit many goals last year, going 5-4 in the Suburban East Conference, placing third at the

Section 7AA meet and qualifying one gymnast for state.

It loses just three seniors, but will be without some contributors who were eligible to return. Junior Brittany Rod, who placed eighth all-around at the section meet, is pursuing club cheerleading. Senior Kayla Suess is also not out for the team.

Forest Lake’s biggest weapon will continue to be Jessica Dhaene. As a sophomore, she earned her second trip to state on bars, placing 16th. She also took fifth all-around in the sec-tion. Now the most experienced team member as a junior, Dhaene fills one of the captain positions.

A diligent worker, Dhaene needed just a couple practices to round into top form after finishing her fall diving season at the state tournament.

The coaching staff will need every practice it can get to sort out the rest of the varsity lineup.

“With a small team, a lot of girls are going to have an opportunity to do all-around,” Brett said. “We have open spots.”

Girls with varsity experience include junior captain Merina Lenz, sophomore Katie Dison, junior Amanda Williamson and sophomore Caitlin Freer. Seventh-grader Izzy O’Neil is among a younger crop which could contribute.

Brett couldn’t be happier with the team’s attitude and preparation so far.

“This has been the best I’ve seen a team come in,” she said. “They’re either at where they were at the end of last season or slightly above. I feel like we didn’t do very much backslide at all, which is something you typi-cally see with gymnastics - that it will take them a few weeks to kind of get in the swing of things – but that first practice was awesome.”

FL continues to build

Photos by Clint Riese

The 2011-12 Ranger gymnastics team includes, front row: Shelby Conway, Alisha Richert, Kylie Hawthorne and Catelyn Dhaene. Middle row: Cassidy Baker, Zoey Torgerson, Julia Frost, Kaitlynn Thomas, Dani Sardeson, Izzy O’Neil and Sierra Barfield. Back row: Katie Dison, Merina Lenz, Jessica Dhaene and Caitlin Freer. Not pictured: Amanda Williamson. At right: Lenz and Jessica Dhaene will serve as captains.

136.7By The Numbers

FL’s top team score last season came at sectionals,

where it placed third

“This is the best I’ve seen a team come in. They’re either at where they were at the end of last season or slightly above.”– coach Ashley Brett

RangeR gymnastics• 2010-11 record: 6-4 (SEC: 5-4)• Head coach: Ashley Brett, second year• Assistant coaches: Carol Suess, Joel-Lynn Tinklenberg and Heather Olson• Captains: Juniors Jessica Dhaene and Merina Lenz• All-Conference returnees: Dhaene

GYMNASTICS12/2 atMoundsView 6:30

12/8 VsRoseVille 6:30

12/14 atHastings 6:30

1/5 VsstillwateR 6:30

1/7 atFaiRbaultinVite 11

1/11 atwHitebeaRlake 7

1/19 VsPaRk 6:30

1/24 atRusHCity 6

1/26 ateastRidge 6:30

2/2 VswoodbuRy 6:30

2/4 atMinnetonkainVite 11

2/9 VsC-dHall 6:30

2/11 JVseCMeet 11 ateastRidge

2/17 seCtion7aaMeet 5 atst.FRanCis

2/24 stateMeet 11 atuniV.oFMinnesota

aRound the secPark took third in its 14th state appearance last win-ter, while Roseville took

second in its ninth

Quick hits• Team improved as

last season went on and exceeded expectations

• With many 2010-11 members gone, squad will be young again

84/80By The Numbers

The team hopes to average higher than last year’s

season-high points totals in kick and jazz

“We’re really excited. We lost a lot of seniors, but our replacements are fabulous. We have a strong core group.”– coach Cheryl Smoczyk

RangeR dance team• 2010-11 record: Seventh in section, second in SEC• Head coach: Cheryl Smoczyk, third year• Assistant coach: Katie Corrigan• Captains: Seniors Hannah Quiggle, Jackie Ohman, Angela Nesler, Ashley Moore and Shaley Bagan• All-Conference returnees: Ohman and Nesler Honorable mention: Moore

DANCE TEAM11/19 buRnsVilleinVite 3Rd

12/5 seCMeet tbd atC-dHall

12/10 eastViewinVite tbd

12/12 seCMeet tbd atMoundsView

12/17 RoCHesteRJ.M.inVitetbd

1/7 HenRysibleyinVite tbd

1/14 blaineinVite tbd

1/21 wayzatainVite tbd

1/23 seCMeet tbd atFoRestlake

1/28 MoundsViewinVite tbd

2/11 seCtion3aaaMeet tbd atblooMingtonkennedy

2/17- stateMeet tbd2/18 attaRgetCenteR

aRound the secNo Suburban East Conference teams

reached the state meet last winter

Quick hits• Team starting year with

all-time high number of kick participants

• Jazz routine is most demanding the program has ever put on

No time like now for FLDT

Crew revs up for 2011-12

When the green flag dropped on the 2011-2012 competitive dance sea-son, the Forest Lake squad hit the gas on a car which has picked up speed throughout its seven years of existence. When the girls hit the checkered flag, they hope to have clocked some new all-time highs.

Right out of the gate, coach Cheryl Smoczyk is utilizing 24 girls for the race-car themed kick routine, the same number the team finished with last year and an all-time high.

“We’re really excited,” she said. “We lost a lot of seniors, but again our young replacements are fabu-lous. We have a strong core group.”

The team is led by five senior

captains but also boasts a large crew of ninth-graders. This marks the first season in which each of Forest Lake’s jazz routine members have competi-tive studio experience.

Those 12 girls will compete to The Smashing Pumpkins classic “Tonight, Tonight.”

“It is the most difficult routine we have ever put on the floor and they can already do it well,” said Smoczyk.

The high talent level has Forest Lake itching to shoot up the stand-ings. At a regular-season meet last year, the Rangers outscored confer-ence and section neighbor Mounds View, an annual powerhouse, for the first time ever. They still took second to the Mustangs in both kick and jazz at the Suburban East Conference

meet.Along with the Mustangs, Forest

Lake would like to catch Irondale, Centennial and Eagan in order to place third in the section.

Forest Lake will host the SEC championships at the high school on Monday, Jan. 23. Due to a rotating schedule, the chance to host a meet comes just once every two seasons.

Smoczyk hopes to draw a big crowd, assuring that other teams will bring their fans. She notes that dance became the top-grossing state event on the girls’ side last year.

Who knows? Home fans may just witness an all-time best performance from the maroon and gold.

“We kind of feel like this is our year to make a push,” Smoczyk said.

Photo by TLC Digital Images

The 2011-12 Ranger dance team includes, front row: Shania Nelson, Taylor Emly, Aliy Heitman, Sydney Fuerst, Erin Murphy, Corryn Newville, Lilia Theisen, Ashley Fechner, Carly Drobnick, Spencer Boyd and Emily Hanson. Middle row: Jaime Hunt, Rhi Lasch, Emily Proulx, Karlee Kluge, Maggie Jeans, Angela Nesler, Jackie Ohman, Hannah Quiggle, Lindsay Bartlett, Emily Navara, Logan Opsahl, Natalie Wright and Sydney Moore. Back row: Ali Clasen, Bailey (manager), Emilie Goblisch, Caitlyn Evgen, Kelly Lukkonen, Mia Neeson, Shaley Bagan, Rachel Rue, Chandler Boyd, Aly Proulx, Shelby Benson, Hayley Waldoch, Emily Isaacson and Ashley Moore. Not pictured: Taylor Schmidt.

Page 8A – Thursday, December 1, 2011 – Forest Lake Times www.forestlaketimes.com

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