Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

Two points. Thatís how much, or how little, the Forest Lake boys swimming and diving team lost the section title last season. After winning the meet in 2004 and 2005, the two-point loss to Blaine could provide some motivation for the group this winter.

ìYeah, weíre really expecting to do well at section and at state,î captain Mark Sandager says. ìWeíre hoping to regain the section title. Blaine lost some good swimmers and we lost some good swimmers, but weíre really hoping to step it up.î

Entering her fourth year as the Rangerís head swim coach, Barb Vailodash has developed a strong program at Forest Lake. While she acknowledges that Blaine is ìalways out to get us,î and that her squad lost its No. 1 distance swimmer, this yearís line-up should return to the top of the section.

ìI think weíre actually better this year, due to the fact that more of the kids swam outside of the season than any season ever.î

No matter the sport, coaches like to see the commitment outside of the high school time frame because it usually leads to major gains when it all counts. One swimmer who put in the hours throughout 2006 is junior Elijah Miller. He enjoyed a lot of success as a sophomore, and Vailodash predicts a big year for Miller as he continues to mature and dedicate himself to the sport.

ìHeís going to have a very good season,î she says.

In regards to the hole that was left by swimmers like Sam Gort, Vailodash believes the team will be just fine.

ìWe lost some very strong competitors,î she says. ìPeople are going to be able to step up to bat and fill those shoes. I think even with that we have a very strong possibility of replacing them. Not easily, but we will.î

As the conversation turns to what schools Forest Lake will have to face in the regular season, Vailodash sounds like nearly every other coach in the Suburban East.

ìWeíre in the toughest conference in the state,î she says.

Out of the top 15 teams in Minnesota, Vailodash figures the SEC would occupy eight of those spots, but thatís not what she and the team really worries about. Vailodash views a lot of the meets as a way to prepare for going to state or winning the section, and that is certainly attainable.

With the returning leadership and the knowledge that they are indeed a strong squad, Forest Lake is set for a quick rebound in 2007.

ìThey should be able to walk away with the 7AA championship again,î Vailodash says during the teamís first practice. ìAnd they should bring relay teams, plus individuals to the state meet ó even to the finals at state.î

In addition to Miller and Sandager, the Rangers also have the likes of John Goossens, Pete Sandager, Clint Krummi, Tyler Sperry, John Gavanda and Matt Elden to take on rivals like Mounds View, Stillwater and Cretin.

ìThey should do really well this year,î Vailodash says.

And there is also the issue of some relay records that finally fell last winter after standing for 15-20 years.

ìWe broke two relay records last year and weíre just hoping to do as well as we did last year in those relays,î Mark Sandager says.

All they need is two points.

The other part of the water equation is the young group of divers who are coached by Deb Welch. There is no getting around that Forest Lake will miss Dillon Hudalla who won both the conference and the sections over the last two years. What he also leaves, though, is something for the next crew to aspire to.

Sophomore Jeff Isaacson and freshman Connor Florand have trained hard during the summer and attended camps. Both divers went to sections in 2006 and Welch would love to see them take the next step this season.

ìIím hoping that itís not a bold prediction to say that he should be headed for state this year,î she says of Isaacson. And as for Connor, he has been eager to try new dives which leaves Welch wondering, ìthat he might just surprise us all.î

Rounding out the team are Matt Goossens and Jake Duffy. The 8th grade duo will be counted on to move up to bigger roles with Goossens looking to improve on his success at the junior varsity level, while Duffy could bring a little family mojo to the team.

ìJake is Janel Duffyís little brother so heís been around the pool for the last six years waiting his turn to see how he does,î says Welch.

As a group they should hold their own in most meets, and Welch envisions some all-conference and all-sections awards, and a trip to state coming from this quartet.

Forest Lake wasnít the only school to lose a senior or two, so positions on the medal podium are there for whoever wants to step up.

ìYes, we are a very young team, but not that inexperienced, and these guys are willing to work hard,î Welch says.

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Forest Lake Times
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