Joe Drennan
Sports EditorBeing the only Forest Lake High School boys cross country runner to qualify for the state meet at St. Olaf College over the weekend, senior Matt Machís goal was to finish in the top half of the field.
With warmer than usual temperatures for early November in Minnesota and a slight wind, not many runners set personal records at the meet. Rangers head coach Bill McElrath said that with the weather being unusual for this time of year and the fact that it was the state meet, the focus was on place and not time.
Mach came through and finished 58th out of 153 racers in the AA race with a time of 17:16.
ìHe went out with a blaze of glory in mile one with a 5:09 time,î McElrath said. ìThat fast first mile probably came back to haunt him as the winds caught up with him and other runners.î
Even though a quick start and strong winds may have slowed Mach down, he enjoyed every minute of the experience.
ìHe was just excited to be with the top elite runners in the state,î McElrath said. ìHe hoped he could have run faster but he knows the weather was an effect and that he did place well.î
While every runner who showed up to the state meet had hopes of winning the race, Mach accepted his place with a smile and good sportsmanship.
ìHis sportsmanship was astonishing,î McElrath said. ìHe had to have shook no fewer than 15 hands in the finish coral.î
Yahya Iman of Marshall won the race with an impressive time of 15:39.
At the end of the season banquet this week, Mach was honored with the Ranger Award as the most valuable runner on the team.
Several of Machís teammates came along to St. Olaf College to cheer him along the race route. Nick Kelley, Shea Glewwe, Michael Howe, Aaron Moen and Kelly Weise all made the trip.
McElrath was happy to bring along the other team members as he thinks the experience can only help the program grow stronger.
ìI would say anytime you get on the dance floor and you can watch the dancers thatís motivation for you so that you can get there,î McElrath said.
ìWe hope that this will be the first of many years in a row that we can send individuals to the state meet and that it is some time in the not too distant future. I canít wait to read the headline that says ëForest Lake team makes it to state.í I donít know how long it will be, but if these runners continue to improve it wonít be too long.î
Machís state meet appearance was the last race that McElrath will be the Rangers head coach. He is stepping down, but assistant coach Matt Hayton will be taking over the head coaching duties.
ìMatt has a good vision of where he wants to take this program and I am sure heíll be a very good head coach,î McElrath said.
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