Posted: 10/8/03

Rangers drop 2 of 3

Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

As the section meets near, the Forest Lake swimming and diving team is making its final tune ups to prepare.

The Rangers outscored Cambridge 98-88 on Sept. 23. The Rangers took first in the 200-yard Medley Relay, 50, 100, 200, and 500-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke, and 100-yard free relay races.

ìThe girls were a little worried at first about starts because the Cambridge pool had no start blocks,î head swim coach Rochelle McKenzie said. ìHowever, they got over it and did the best they could.î

The diving team came out on top of Cambridge with Brianna Hubbard finishing first, Janel Duffy second, and Chelsea Nelson fourth.

Roseville was faster in the water than Forest Lake, winning the meet 105-81 on Sept. 25. Amanda Nelson had two first place finishes, one in the 200-yard freestyle, and the other in the 100-yard fly.

ìItís never been that close before,î McKenzie said of the score between Roseville and Forest Lake. ìThe girls are continuing to do well.î

Frances Van Sloun placed third in the 500-yard freestyle with a personal best time of 6:11.99. The new best is 0:05.12 better than her previous mark.

ìFrances keeps dropping her time in the 500-yard backstroke, I canít wait to see how far sheíll go,î McKenzie said.

The diving team helped earn some points as they finished one, two, three. The standings saw Hubbard as number one, followed by Duffy and Nelson.

Chisago Lakes gave Forest Lake some more tough competition as Chisago beat the Rangers 112-72 on Monday, Sept. 29.

The 100-yard freestyle relay team of Mary Walters, Hannah Sparks, Hannah McKenzie, and Nelson finished first with a time of 1:55.48.

ìI think that too many of the swimmers were too concerned about it being a Monday meet that they psyched themselves out,î McKenzie said.

The diving team had troubles with Chisago as well, placing first, fifth, and sixth. Hubbard was the first place finisher, while Duffy and Nelson were fifth and sixth.

ìChisago is always a tough competitor and the varsity team of Hubbard, Duffy, and Nelson had their first real look at what state competitors will look like,î diving coach Deb Welch said.

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