Posted: 6/12/02

Howe makes final point for Forest Lake

Berk Brown
Sports Editor

Stephanie Howe made one final point for the Rangers in the final race of her high school career at the 2002 Minnesota State High School League Track and Field Championships.

Howe, a Northern Michigan University cross crountry and Nordic ski recruit, placed ninth in the AA 1600 on Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine to earn the Rangersí only point in the girls team standings. She also placed 15th on Friday in the 3200.

Forest Lakeís only other qualifier on the girls team, Becky Schirmer, ran a 48.62 time in the preliminaries of the 300 low hurdles which did not qualify her for the finals.

The one point tied the Rangers for 60th place in the AA standings.

Although Howeís high school career came to an end, she said it couldnít have been on a higher note or at a better place.

ìIt went OK. It wasnít my best race,î Howe said of the 1600. ìIt was fun, though. Iím just glad to have made it to today.î

Howe has made a habit of finishing her seasons at state. She ended her career having been to 10 consecutive state tournaments or meets.

She went to the state Nordic ski meet and the state softball tournament during the 1999-2000 school year. In both the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 school years, she competed in the state cross country, Nordic ski and track meets.

This year was her best, placing 9th at the state cross country meet, winning a state championship in Nordic ski and qualifying for state track in two events.

The accomplishments werenít lost on Howe, one of the great female athletes in Forest Lakeís history.

ìThis (track) season ñ and all three this year ñÝI canít believe how well theyíve all went,î Howe said. ìItís kind of like my dream to do that well.î

Howe finished her 1600 race in a time of 5:14.82. Hopkinsí distance running sensation Shannon Bergstedt dominated the race and was the winner with a time of 4:51.00, which established a new AA state meet record.

In the 3200, Howe crossed the finish line in 11:37.92 for 15th place. Hopkinsí Bergstedt against dominated the race, winning in 10:40.22.

With it being her final high school athletic event, Howe said the state meet was more about enjoying the experience than worrying about placing.

ìI just wanted to run my race and just have fun,î she said. ìI did what I wanted to do. I got to state, got to see how I could do and I had fun.î

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