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Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor
On Tuesday, Dec. 11, the boys and girls Nordic ski teams participated in the Dean Power Double Pursuit competition at Troll Hollow, and with just two other schools involved, Forest Lake was the decisive winner in both races.
The double pursuit means the athletes cover the 5K course while skiing the classic style, and then after a pit stop to switch equipment, the boys and girls then race those same two laps with skate skis and poles.
With only three Nordic programs taking part, Rangers head coach Deno Johnson’s comment sounds like this event is more of a practice run than a date that’s circled in red on the schedule.
“All in all, it was a great workout,” he said.
If more than six miles can be described as a mere workout, then yeah, Forest Lake enjoyed an afternoon of quality exercise.
In the girls division, the Rangers’ Elizabeth Peterson overtook teammate Annie Dehmlow and won the first high school race of her Nordic career, with a time of 32:52.
Forest Lake finished with 483 points, to Coon Rapid’s 459 and White Bear Lake’s 453.
“Annie led through the classic portion and Elizabeth dominated the skate,” Johnson shared.
The coach was also pleased with the results of Jen Scott and Megan Gooley, and feels these two can close the gap on Peterson and Dehmlow if they maintain their focus.
Also landing the top 10 were Kate Babbitt and Amber Anderson.
“Elizabeth and Annie will prove to be a formidable one-two punch, and with Kate Babbitt and Amber Anderson getting fitter daily, it’s all positive,” Johnson said.
The boys were paced by Ben Brodin’s winning time of 27:29, where he was then followed by a gang of Rangers.
Ryan Wright was second, Travis Strike was third, Shawn Wright took fourth and Steve Coozennoy pulled into fifth place.
Forest Lake won the team competition with 490 points, with White Bear Lake taking second with 456 and Coon Rapids totalling 449.
With Mitch Wohlk coming in eighth, Roman Morris in ninth and Joe Jackson in 11th, Forest Lake has a group that is both experienced and young.
“It’s nice to have our super line-up of sophomores pushing each other and the seniors,” Johnson added. “Good things are developing.”
The Winter Solstice Race is this weekend, and then the skiers are away from competition until the Mesabi East Invitational on Jan. 5.
Varsity Girls
1. Elizabeth Peterson 32:52
2. Annie Dehmlow 33:18
5. Jen Scott 36:30
6. Megan Gooley 36:40
8. Kate Babbitt 37:11
10. Amber Anderson 37:38
Varsity Boys
1. Ben Brodin 27:29
2. Ryan Wright 28:11
3. Travis Strike 28:21
4. Shawn Wright 28:48
5. Steve Coozennoy 29:40
8. Mitch Wohlk 30:16
9. Roman Morris 30:22
11. Joe Jackson 31:15
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