Glenn Strandberg
Sports Editor

The Dean Power Memorial Pursuit was the site of the latest Ranger Nordic team success story, as both the boys and girls teams defended the titles they earned in 2005.

As the season goes on, the competition continues to improve, with White Bear Lake making another appearance as well as Section Two rival, Coon Rapids, coming to the party.

For the boys, it was senior captain Leif Nordgren pacing the Rangers, coming in second to Joe Dubay of Coon Rapids for the individual title by less than half a second.

Rounding out the top 10, Forest Lake was well represented as Travis Strike came in third, Ryan Wright in fourth, Mike Howe in sixth, Shawn Wright in seventh and Ben Brodin in eighth.

During the girls race, junior Annie Dehmlow sailed along to another win, this time finishing the eight kilometer course with two minutes to spare over her next closest competitor.

Much like the boys event, Rangers piled into the top 10 positions. Liz Peterson and fellow eighth grader Jen Scott battled for fourth and fifth, respectively.

ìJen Scott had the best race of her life, which was great,î head coach Deno Johnson said.

Coming in behind those three were Kate Babbitt in sixth, Megan Gooley in ninth and Amber Anderson in 10th.

Going into this mild winter, Johnson thought the girls would be a young and promising group, and that certainly seems to be taking shape.

ìIt really is coming together well,î he admits.

The boys and girls tested themselves again on Tuesday at the Suburban East Conference Team Sprints.

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