Glenn Strandberg
Sports Editor

The way the boys swimming and diving team has started the season, next spring should have plenty of individuals and relay teams mixing it up at the state meet. Itís one thing to begin the year with strong performances and solid times, but itís quite another to hop into the season and start throwing personal bests around like parade candy.

Most recently, Forest Lake competed in the Bengal Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 16, and finished in fourth place behind Hopkins, Stillwater and Anoka.

ìThe meet was a great eye-opener to the team and how dedication to the tough days of training pay off,î head coach Barb Vailodash said.

As for the parade candy, it all starts with the 200 medley relay team of John Goossens, Tyler Sperry, Elijah Miller and Mark Sandager (pictured, from left to right) who came in second with a time of 1:47.27.

ìFastest in years,î is how Vailodash summed it up.

Miller also excelled in the 200 IM with a personal record of 2:08.96, and was a member of the 400 freestyle relay team, comprised of the familiar names, Mark Sandager, Sperry and Goossens.

Sperry, the breaststroker, was a bit of a revelation in the butterfly, where after two years of working on the breaststroke, he came out in the fly and dropped two seconds from his previous personal best, landing him in fifth place in a difficult field.

Sandager gave Forest Lake another second place finish when he swam a 59.58 in the 100-yard backstroke.

In the diving competition, the Rangers faced some of the top divers in the state, and with the loss of freshman Connor Florand to an illness, the group had a battle on its hands.

Sophomore Jeff Isaacson came in 12th, and Matt Goossens ended up in 14th.

ìFrom one aspect we did good placing the two divers in the top 16,î head diving coach Deb Welch said. ìBut, from another point of view, I think that we could do even better next time we see this kind of competition.î

RANGERS 100 PARK 81

Thursday night got the weekend started with a home meet against Park of Cottage Grove, and Vailodash thought her team looked great.

On this day, the 200 medley relay team of Sandager, Miller, Sperry and Matt Elden finished in first.

John Goossens, who normally swims the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, cruised to first in the 200- and 100-yard freestyle with section qualifying times.

Miller took first in the 100 breast as well as the 200 IM, with Sperry coming in second in the latter event.

John Gavanda was touched out in 50 freestyle, but he still qualified for sections with a clocking of 24.78.

Mark Sandager was first in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke and both were section qualifying times.

His brother, Peter Sandager, pulled off a 5:39.10 in the 500 free, barely touching out Park for first and also earning a section time

Sophomore Clint Krummi also made the section cut in the 100 backstroke

ìGreat start to the season,î Vailodash concluded.

Isaacson held on for first place in diving, while also picking up a personal best score. And close behind were Florand and Matt Goossens, coming in third and fourth and also earning personal bests.

ìThis was a good meet,î Welch said. ìThe boys were relaxed and having fun with the home fans all there to make it a great night.î

The next meet for the Rangers is not until Jan. 4, 2007 at Roseville.

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