Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

Putting the finishing touches on a more than satisfying regular season, the Ranger swimming and diving team looked sharp in both of its meets last week. They opened with a convincing 30 point win over Park on Tuesday, Oct. 24 before taking Hastings down to the wire in a 94-92 loss to the Raiders on Thursday.

ìWell, just like any meet there were some good things and not so good things,î head swimming coach Rochelle McKenzie shared about the victory over Park. ìWe took first place in all but two events, and (went) 1, 2, 3 in three events.î

McKenzie noted that they were happy with the win, but the times were either excellent or a little below par.

Coming out on top for the Rangers was the 200 medley relay team made up of Mary Walters, Sarah Williamson, Darian Kaiser and Amanda Nelson.

Other solid performances were as follows:

200 Free (1st) Andrea Gaytan with a time of 2:08.98.

200 Free (2nd) Julianna Dahlager with a personal best of 2:11.72.

50 Free (1st) Nelson - 25.85

50 Free (2nd) Kaiser - 27.08

100 Fly (1st) Nelson - 1:00.96

100 Fly (2nd) Gaby Bunten - 1:05.83

100 Free (3rd) Walters -1:00.03 which is a season best.

100 Free (5th) Sarah Morris - 1:04.38 (personal best)

500 Free (1st) Becky Zierke -5:46.84. ìHaving a remarkable season - personal best by five seconds,î McKenzie pointed out.

500 Free (2nd) Ann Husfeldt - 5:54.85. A season best, one second from personal best.

200 Free Relay (1st) Kaiser, Bunten, Gaytan, Nelson.

100 Back (1st) Walters - 1:04.87

100 Breast (1st) Williamson - 1:16.54

400 Free Relay (1st) Zierke, Dahlager, Alissa Moberg, Husfeldt, Nelson

Hastings Loss

The girls hosted Hastings on Thursday and even though they had a large lead disappear at the very end, McKenzie was thrilled with what she saw.

ìWhat an awesome meet!î She offered. ìWe came into the meet ready to have fun and do our best but not expecting to do as well as we did.î

The Rangers led until the final relay, but with Hastings taking first and third place in the event, they squeaked by Forest Lake for the two-point victory.

200 medley relay (1st) -1:57.31 with Walters, Williamson, Nelson and Kaiser.

200 medley relay (2nd) -2:10.71 with Kathrine Monberg, Natalie Emholz, Lindsey Quale and Laura Oberg-Hauser.

200 Free (1st) - 2:03.06 Nelson; (2nd) - 2:03.31 Bunten

50 Free (2nd) - 27.08 Kaiser

100 Fly (1st) - 58.86 Nelson

100 Free (3rd) - 59.89 Dahlager with a personal best and her first time to break 1:00.

500 Free (1st) - 5:22.62 Bunten

100 Back (1st) - 1:03.97 Walters

400 free relay (2nd) - 3:56.73 Kaiser, Dahlager, Gaytan and Bunten.

Diving Rules

ìThe girls were stiff and sore from a very vigorous week of conditioning, but, they did not want to let their loyal fans down,î diving coach Deb Welch said.

Against Park it was Janel Duffy in first place and Erin Eagen right behind her in second. Scotti Sampair was close behind with a fourth place finish.

But on Thursday night it was a clean sweep of the top three spots as Duffy, Eagen and Sampair snagged first, second and third, respectively.

ìThis was Janelís last home meet ever,î Welch said. ìBefore her last dive of the night the whole pool erupted with a standing ovation to show their support for a diver who has always put her best effort forward. Janel waited with a little smile on her face for the fans to quiet down and then aced her final dive.î

Forest Lake will now prepare for the 7AA Section Meet which takes place from Nov. 9 - 11 at Northdale Junior High School in Coon Rapids.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605