Posted: 3/2/05
Forest Lake swimmers and divers repeat as 7AA section champs
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The Forest Lake High School boys swimming and diving team pulled out a close victory Saturday in Blaine to repeat as the 7AA Section Champs. Unlike last year where the Rangers dominated, this yearís margin of victory was tight and was not certain until the end of the final event. Similar to last monthís victory at the inaugural 7AA True Team Section meet it took everyoneís best effort to pull it out.
Coaches Barb Vailodash and Deb Welch knew early on this year that the loss of key seniors to graduation last spring would make the Rangers chance at repeating as section champs a long shot. Saturday, the Rangers took a slim four point lead with three events remaining and held on to win by seven over Blaine and 15 over Irondale. The Rangers led all teams with a score of 351 followed by Blaine 344, Irondale 336, Champlin Park 308, Coon Rapids 269, Duluth East 188, Cambridge-Isanti 172 and Andover 135. In addition, Dillon Hudalla earned Section Diver of the Year and Diving Coach Welch earned Section Diving Coach of the Year honors.
Forest Lake is sending three individuals to state in five events. Sam Gort and Andy Knaak were first in each of their two individual events and Dillon Hudalla was first in diving. Sam Gort was first in the 200 freestyle (1:49.67) and 500 freestyle (5:02.70). Andy Knaak was first in the 200 individual medley (2:00.94) and the 100 Breaststroke (1:01.66). Hudalla was first in diving with a score of 363.95. In sections, the top two finishers go on to state. Though the Rangers are only sending the three individuals to state, the section victory was assured by strong performances from the following swimmers and divers.
Finals:
Mark Anderson 3rd 200 Freestyle 1:56.41 3rd 500 Freestyle 5:13.06
Mark Sandager 3rd 100 Butterfly 59.01
3rd 100 Backstroke 57.78
Jake Morrison, Anderson, Gort, A. Knaak
3rd 400 Free Relay 3:28.29
Anderson, Matt Elden, Morrison, Gort
3rd 200 Free Relay 1:36.78
M. Sandager, A. Knaak, Tyler Sperry, Elijah Miller
4th 200 Medley Relay 1:46.35
Elijah Miller 5th 100 Backstroke 1:00.01
8th 100 Butterfly 1:01.86
Tyler Sperry 7th 100 Butterfly 1:01.84
Semifinals:
Matt Elden 9th 50 Freestyle 24.41
Jeff Isaacson 9th Diving 254.90
Jake Morrison 9th 100 Freestyle 54.14
14th 200 IM 2:21.48
James Kassel 10th 200 IM 2:19.54
12th 100 Butterfly 1:04.36
Peter Sandager 10th 500 Freestyle 5:39.38
14th 200 Freestyle 2:06.19
John Goossens 14th 100 Freestyle 55.36
Connor Florand 16th Diving 187.50
The 2005 AA state swimming and diving meet will be at the U of M Aquatics Center. Diving Prelims will be at 6 p.m. today, Thursday, and swimming prelims at 6 p.m. Friday, with swimming and diving finals at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605