There will be no dancing at this week’s state tournament for the boys basketball team, as Forest Lake fell to Cambridge-Isanti on Wednesday night, 52-43.

“Wow. Tough way to end a great season,” Forest Lake head coach Dan Cremisino said. “To get so close and not finish it off hurts.”

(Photo by TLC Digital Images)
THOUSAND-YARD STARE: Jeremy Stiner consoles teammate Ryan Brown after the Rangers difficult 52-43 loss in the Class 4A, Section 7 final.

Fundraising challenge; annual meeting

The Forest Lake Sports Complex could land another $20,000 for its fundraising campaign if local hockey families step up to a new matching grant challenge.

Forest Lake Hockey Association President Kirby Sell and his family are donating $10,000, with the caveat that hockey association members match it with individual contributions totaling $10,000.

“We wanted to provide an additional incentive for members of the hockey association to give to the campaign,” Sell said. “After all, these are the people who will benefit the most from the new facility.”

The Sports Complex, being built and managed by the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association, will have one year-round ice sheet and another half-year ice sheet in the Field House. Construction is expected to begin in April, with at least one sheet ready for skating by September.

For their contributions to be counted in the match challenge, Forest Lake Hockey Association members must make a contribution by September 2008 and write “Hockey Match” on the memo line of their checks or on their donation forms.

Donation forms are available online at  HYPERLINK “http://www.flaaa.org” www.flaaa.org.

 

The Forest Lake boys track and field team bolted into the new season on Saturday, March 22, with the ROTC High School Indoor Meet at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.

The Rangers took third place overall, behind Mounds View and Coon Rapids.

 
SPRING FORWARD: Only twelve days after beginning practice, the boys track and field team got its season off to an early start with a meet at the University of Minnesota. Vince Shaw took seventh place in the 60-meter hurdles.

“We were pretty pumped,” head coach Paul Kendrick said. “This was a good indication for us to see what we have.”

While Forest Lake had plenty of solid performances for such an early competition, the only winning time was turned in by the 4x800 meter relay team (Nathan Moen, Zach Waldoch, Andy Orth and J.J. Weigel).

Wildlife Center's Wine for Wolves

The Wildlife Science Center is holding its annual Wine For the Wolves Wine Tasting and Silent Auction on Friday, April 11 at American Legion Post 225 in Forest Lake. The Wildlife Science Center’s ambassador birds of prey will be on hand, and a  silent auction will also be held. All proceeds will benefit the Wildlife Science Center. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. www.wildlifesciencecenter.org.

Leading up to the title game on March 19, the Section 7 Class 4A boys basketball postseason had progressed without any upsets or surprises.

Chalk, it’s called, where the favored team wins and the higher seeds march onward. 

(Photo by TLC Digital Images)
ON THE RISE: Like many of his teammates, Ty Cremisino has elevated his game over the past month, as Forest Lake has gone 9-2 since early February.

3 divers qualified for DII championships

Just two weeks ago there was the unique situation of having three Forest Lake High School graduates competing at the NCAA Ski Championships.
 

REUNION TOUR: One week after a trio of former Rangers raced at the NCAA Ski Championships, a new group of Forest Lake alums — (from left) Sarah Chaussee, Brian Welch and Janel Duffy — competed in the NCAA Division II Diving Championships. 

Forest Lake golf swap and expo

Mark your calendars for this Saturday, March 22 as the Forest Lake High School golf teams are planning a Golf Swap and Expo in the field house from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Bring the whole family to FLHS, where you can purchase golf equipment and apparel; receive golf lessons from the high school golf team members; and visit with golf vendors. If you have golf equipment or apparel that you would like to consign or  donate, drop off is at the high school on Friday, March 21  from 5 - 8 p.m.