Joe Drennan
Sports EditorKristen Howe of the Forest Lake High School girls track and field team was looking to end her high school track career on a high note while three of her younger teammates were trying to do their best in their first appearances at the state meet.
Last year rain fell at the state track meet and made conditions almost unbearable to compete in. This year it looked as though the same thing would happen, but just before the first event Friday the rain stopped and the sun started to peek through the clouds.
Freshman Brittni Lafontsee started the day off for the Rangers in the long jump. Lafontsee finished with her best jump being 14í-7.25.î Beth Zimmer of Willmar was the state champion with a jump of 17í-4.25.î
ìBrittni didnít have the jumps that she was hoping for,î Rangers head coach Janet Howe said. ìGoing to the meet and learning what itís like I think sheíll be able to come back next year with a whole different way to attack the meet. Itís overwhelming as a freshman. I think each year weíre going to see better things out of her.î
Kristen Howe started the running events for the Rangers with the 3200-meter run. Howe finished eighth with her time of 11:21.53. Shannon Bergstedt of Hopkins was the state champion with a time of 10:31.72, ahead of second place Ladia Albertson of Stillwater who had a time of 11:01.42.
ìI think overall she has had an awesome senior year and a phenomenal career at Forest Lake,î Janet Howe said. ìShe went out there and gave it her all. She did a great job in a field of distance runners that are really good so she has a lot to be proud of.î
On the second day of the meet Kristen Howe competed in the 1600-meter race. Howe placed tenth with a time of 5:17.44. Elizabeth Yetzer of Lakeville set a new state record of 4:46.14 to place first.
Junior Becky Alexander made her first trip to the state meet in the discus and placed seventh with her throw of 123í-2.î Lindsey Dare of Apple Valley placed first with a throw of 136í-7.î
ìBecky made the finals which in the field that weíre talking about is a big feat in itself and she really stepped up in performing against the best kids in the state,î Janet Howe said. ìI think as Becky continues to work hard and train year round that she has a chance of competing with the best of the best.î
Freshman Kristi Buerkle also competed in the 400-meter dash where she finished with a time of 59.02. Heather Dorniden of Rosemount placed first with a time of 55.29.
ìOverall I think we did pretty well,î Janet Howe said. ìThe girls had a nice showing and we got some good experience for the younger girls. When they go back again in the future theyíll know what itís about.î
Editors Note: In last weekís issue I reported that the 4x200-meter relay team of Megan Becker, Lacee Enfield, Lafontsee and Kelsey Kosman had qualified for the state meet. The team placed second and only the first place team advanced to state.
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