Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

Last week may have been another loss for the boys swimming and diving team, but in the 98-86 defeat at Woodbury, the Rangers continue to build on a very successful season.

Head coach Barb Vailodash felt the meet was very similar to the challenge Forest Lake faced against Stillwater, where her squad came out strong but could not hold on to the lead.

The Rangers opened with a first (Mark Sandager, Elijah Miller, Tyler Sperry and Mike Bahr) and a third place (Clint Krummi, Zach Curtis, Matt Elden and Peter Sandager) in the medley relay to take the lead.

In a thrilling 200 freestyle, Mark Sandager touched out to win by .4, or basically by a finger tip.

Miller couldn't pull off a victory in the 200 IM, where he came up just short of first place, but he did swim to a seasons' best in the event.

In the 50 freestyle, John Goossens copied Sandager's surge in the 200 and eked out a win by .004.

The 100 butterfly was one that did not go Forest Lake's way, as Sperry led the entire way until two swimmers from Woodbury edged him out and pushed him down to third place.

During a fast heat of the 100 free, it was Mark Sandager in first, Goossens in fourth and John Gavanda in fifth place.

The 200 freestyle relay was basically nose-to-nose competition for the top two Forest Lake teams. Miller, Gavanda, Goossens and Mark Sandager finished in second, and by the slimmest of margins, the foursome of Kevin Brennhofer, Curtis, Bahr and Scott Isaacson came in fourth.

Miller was locked in another tight race in the 100 breaststroke, but this time he was able to pull through with a win.

"From the start to the finish, our team gave it their all," Vailodash observed. "Each swimmer and diver was motivated to win the meet. Unfortunately, the end score does not represent the effort each member gave."

Vailodash went on to point out how in a single year, Forest Lake has never had so many competitors qualify for sections. However, only four swimmers per event are allowed to represent the Rangers.

"But to (have) accomplished such a feat, every member personally should feel success. The depth is amazing," Vailodash stated.

In the diving competition, head coach Deb Welch said that Woodbury is a tough team to go against on their home turf.

Jeff Isaacson missed first place by less than 10 points, but had to settle for third after narrowly missing out on second place.

Connor Florand ended the night in fourth place and Jake Duffy landed in sixth.

The Rangers end their regular season on Thursday, Feb, 8 with a home meet against Cretin-Derham Hall.

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