Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

According to head coach Deno Johnson, the Forest Lake Nordic ski team has put in 400-500 hours of training over the past year, and like he says, “You get what you deserve.”

What the boys deserved and earned last week was another trip to the state meet. That makes four straight conference championships and now a “fourpeat” at sections.

“That’s a good week’s work, I’d say,” Johnson observes.

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, the obnoxiously cold temperatures moved the competition from Giant’s Ridge down to Trollhaugen, where teams like Mounds View, Andover and Roseville couldn’t keep pace with Forest Lake. The Rangers ended the day with 380 points and Mounds View took second with 360.

Joe Dubay of Coon Rapids was the individual winner, while a jet-lagged Leif Nordgren returned from Italy and was able to grab second place for Forest Lake.

“As a team, yeah, I was excited to see that we had done pretty well,” Nordgren said.

With a group that’s going to state, it’s no surprise to see plenty of Rangers pulling into the top 15. Not far behind Nordgren was Ben Brodin, who came in with a fourth place finish.

“It was nice to see Ben so far up there,” Nordgren said, “I haven’t skied with him for a few weeks.”

Ryan Wright was seventh, Travis Strike 11th, Shawn Wright 13th, Dave Kasl 14th and Roman Morris was 15th.

With a No. 1 ranking, Hopkins remains the team to beat at the state competition, which will be held on Friday, Feb. 16 at Giant’s Ridge. Nordgren admits that Hopkins has three skiers who are as fast as him, but factoring in the quartet that will participate for the Rangers, the race should be close.

“I think for state, we’re going to have to step it up a notch and pretty much give everything we’ve got,” Nordgren said.

The girls Nordic team made a great run at the Section 2 championship, but in the end, the Rangers were unable to unseat Roseville by a final score of 384-366.

“People are pretty amazed at the girls performance,” Johnson said. “But to be honest, the coaching staff knew it was coming. There is a lot of talent on this team, but they are so young.”

Showcasing those two qualities of youth and ability, Elizabeth Peterson keeps on cruising, and on this day she would end up in third place and qualify for state as an individual.

“Liz finally showed us a fraction of what she’s capable of. She’s got some serious talent,” Johnson said.

Two other team members will also ski at state, with Annie Dehmlow coming in eighth place and Kate Babbitt getting 12th.

“Annie and Kate did what they needed to do,” Johnson pointed out. “It’s all coming together nicely for these three dedicated athletes. State will be a fun one.”

More than wrapping up the standings for the girls were Amber Anderson (15th), Megan Gooley (16th), Jen Scott (17th) and Bridget Holmes (28th). All of them but Holmes will return next year.

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