Posted: 2/18/04

Boys take 3rd at state race

Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

Forest Lake High School nordic ski coach Deno Johnson said he expected good things out of both the girls and boys teams this season, and thatís just what he got as both teams competed in the state meet Friday.
For the boys, Lorin Skoglund finished sixth overall in the state, and Ben Fick finished 12th. Overall, the boys team finished in third place.

ìIt was just absolutely outstanding,î Johnson said. ìTheir big goal all year was to get back to state and the sky was the limit. Once we got back to state we realized, hey, we can finish in the top five, then word got around that top three teams got medals too so that kind of sealed the deal.î

The girls team was also successful as Laura Edlund finished fourth, and Sarah Wright ninth. The team just missed taking home third place medals of their own as they finished in fourth place.

ìObviously Laura [Edlund] was shooting to win a state title, but to win the title everything has to be going for you, including luck,î Johnson said. ìLaura had everything but luck as she had a nagging cold.î

Even though she couldnít ski into that number one spot, Johnson was more than pleased with Edlundís performance at the meet. Johnson said he couldnít have asked for anything better.

ìIt was a fantastic day,î Johnson said. ìIt was a lot of fun and was probably the best one day event the boys and girls team have had collectively since the program probably started.î

Earning All-State honors because of their efforts this season were Jordan Koch, Fick, Skoglund and Peter Bailey from the boys team, and Edlund and Wright from the girls.

ìI couldnít be more proud of the kid,î Johnson said of Bailey. ìTo get All-State was a great capstone to a great career.î

With the season now over, Johnson can start looking toward next season. As he looks forward, he will be without Edlund, Skoglund, Bailey, and Koch.

ìOn the girls side we only lose Laura [Edlund] which is a big hit, but we lose the least of any of the top teams,î Johnson said.

Returning skiers for next year that Johnson expects to make an impact are Babbit and Zack Clark for the boys, and Sarah Wright and Katie Clark for the girls.

ìThe future for nordic skiing in Forest Lake is looking pretty solid,î Johnson said.

And to put the icing on the cake for the nordic ski team this season, the boys team also was named the section academic champions.

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