At the state track and field championships last weekend, the boys and girls of Forest Lake almost treated the singular event as two separate activities. While the girls were competing and collecting points on the track, the boys were taking part - a large part, in fact - predominately in the field events.

The boys finished the two-days at Hamline University in seventh place with 33 points, and all of those came through the efforts of Derek Peterson, Matt Schwartz, and Tyler Kleinhuizen.

The 400 meter relay team of Erik Stolberg, Alex Boerum, Dalton Keep and Jack Wittrock was unable to escape the first round, which was the same result for Dustin Kendrick in the 110 meter high hurdles.

Thankfully for Ranger fans there were the Three Sizemen participating in the discus and the shot put.

Friday morning began with Kleinhuizen placing third in the shot put with a toss of 53-11.50, which was more than six inches better than his performance at the Section 7AA meet. Peterson finished in fifth place with a distance of 52-9.75.

Saturday was even better for the boys as Peterson went way beyond the competition in the discus with a throw of 160-2, compared to the second place distance of 154-6. Coming in third place was Schwartz at 150-8.

Buerkle medals

The girls were led by Kristi Buerkle who placed fifth in the 400 meters and sixth in the 200 meters. Both races ended with a majority of the runners grouped so closely that there was little difference between places 4-7.

ìAfter both of my races I knew I couldnít have done anything to make it a better race,î Buerkle said. ìSo I was really happy with both.î

Courtesy of Buerkleís feet the girls came away with nine team points.

Buerkle was joined at the meet by her cohorts on the 800 meter relay team, consisting of Rae Moen, Kelsey Kosman and Brittni Lafontsee, but they were disqualified in the first round.

Lafontsee also competed in the long jump, but did not finish amongst the leaders, and Auralee McGary took part in Saturdayís 1600 meter race.

ìI think Auralee had a nice run,î head coach Janet Howe said. ìEveryone performed very well and was really able to step up to the day.î

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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