Posted: 11/5/03

Going out in style, Howe named All-State

Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

Most senior athletes hope they can end their high school career by playing their best game, swimming their best laps, or running their best race. Forest Lake senior Kristen Howe did just that as she finished 21st at the State Cross Country Meet in Northfield Saturday.

With a slight wind and temperatures in the mid-30ís, it was a perfect day for Howe to have her best finish in her third state meet. Crossing the finish line in 14:59, and in the top 25, Howe earned herself All-State honors, and a memorable last race.

ìI think itís a great way for her to finish off her career,î girls cross country coach Janet Howe said. ìItís a highlight for a lady who is a very good runner.î

Howeís time was a full 1:20 better than last yearís state meet, and she also moved up 25 places, from 46th to 21st.

ìI really wanted to make all state because I had never done that before,î Kristen Howe said.

ìShe worked hard each year and itís a deserving award, she did a great job, she ran it tactically, extremely well,î coach Howe said.

3rd timeís a charm

Being her third consecutive trip to the state meet, Howe says she was very familiar with the course at St. Olaf College. Knowing the layout of the course, she says she knew how much she had left in her at any point of the race, and she knew when to begin her final sprint.

ìI knew how the course went so that was kind of handy,î Howe said.

Being the state meet, Howe says she didnít do anything special to get ready for it. She simply went out there like it was any other race. Howe did want to finish in the top 25 though.

ìShe got out hard for the race which is the difference from her other two state meets,î coach Howe said. ìAnd thatís important because of the caliber of runners, and getting off to a fast start is important and thatís what she did.î

After high school

After finishing high school, Howe says she plans to continue running in college. She is not sure where she will attend, but she does know she wants to major in teaching English as a second language. Howe says there are not many schools that offer that major so she is still looking for the one that does and that she likes.

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