Posted: 4/16/03

Numbers on the rebound for boys track

Berk Brown
Sports Editor

Numbers mean everything in track, but the number Forest Lake boys track coach Paul Kendrick is most pleased with this season doesnít come from a stopwatch, height or distance measurement.

Itís a number which relates to the volume of athletes he has to work with this year.

Entering the start of the season, that number was up to 64 from a mark of 41 a year ago.
Kendrick is excited about it because he knows with quantity, quality is easier to find.

ìIím glad to see the numbers on the rebound,î Kendrick said. ìIf the number continue to grow, we can compete with the big schools, and thatís exciting to me.î

Forest Lake had one of its most successful track seasons in a handful of years last season when the Rangers placed second at the Section 7AA meet and sent four athletes to the state meet.

None of those four state participants return this year, however, but Kendrick is still excited about the potential with this group.

ìThere is a lot of green talent here that just needs some work,î Kendrick said. ìIt might take a little while for them to perform their best as a team, but I think theyíre going to be at their best late in the season.

ìThe team has been great. They are a great group to work with. There is real good work ethic with this group.î

A core group of seniors will help lead the Rangers this season.

Chad Bjorklund, who just missed qualifying for state in the 1600 last year, returns for his senior season, as does Chris Clark, Aaron Schneider and Justin Okeson.

Clark ran a 2:06 in the 800 during an indoor meet already this season and will likely compete in the 400 and 800. Schneider is the Rangersí top returning sprinter while Okeson is the top returning hurdler and high jumper.

Also in the sprints this year, Kendrick can count on Matt Keller and Tom Frericks and Kyle Fuller could be used in everything from the 200 to the 800.

Lorin Skoglund returns as the defending Suburban East Conference 400 champion as a sophomore.

Kendrick also has several other athletes who will likely compete at the varsity level in an assortment of event.

Neal Morris, Justin Ellingson, Andy Bowles and John Schwietz have all looked good during the early part of the season, Kendrick said. So have Nate Lewis, Erik Stolberg, Jack Whittrock, Alex Boerum, Trin Almendinger, Pat VanBeckum, Tim Bridgeman, Bryant Ross, John Fahnhorst, Kelly Weise, Bryan Brodeur, Jordan Koch, Doug Joyer, Jordan Bangston, Tom Kubes, Ryan Turry, Jordan Lewis, Eric Chmielewski, Brian Maloney, Dustin Kendrick, Nate Robertson and Geoff Cass.

ìI think weíve turned the corner on getting kids excited about track again,î Kendrick said.

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