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Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor
The final results were posted from the Jan. 17 Nordic ski race at Como Park, and Forest Lake head coach Deno Johnson provided a perfect summary as to who and what’s going on with his team.
“Today’s race proved once again that we have two very competitive squads. There appears to be very little in the way of a pecking order, and the kids are looking forward to more racing.”
After cutting through the appallingly cold conditions last Thursday, it’s hard to imagine that the Rangers are looking forward to more racing, but Johnson’s right about the pecking order. There is none.
One week after Ryan Wright languished to a 17th-place finish, the junior went bonkers and won this day, going away, in a time of 17:05.
Forest Lake took the event with 480 points, with second-place Roseville totaling 442 points.
Wright was joined by his non-Wright brother, Shawn Wright, who looked quick and comfortable on the course, coming in third at 18:07. The next Ranger was Steve Coozennoy, who moved from 18th a week prior, up to sixth overall.
“Shawn Wright is really getting going now at the right time, and we anticipate Steve Coozennoy and Travis Strike to hit the accelerator big time, also,” Johnson shared.
Strike would wind up behind Coozennoy in seventh, in what would turn out to be a pack of four Forest Lake skiers — Mitch Wohlk (eighth) and Roman Morris (ninth) being the others — who commandeered spots six through nine. With Mike Howe and Ben Brodin easing into the top 14, there would be no Ranger outside of the first 15 positions.
“For the girls, I’m liking the increased fitness levels, and it’s good to know they are closing in on their key rivals,” Johnson said.
Forest Lake ended the afternoon in second (470 points) behind Roseville, who collected 479 points.
As she has essentially done all winter, Annie Dehmlow paced the Ranger girls, earning 99 points with a second-place finish, in a time of 21:58.
Making a steady move up the final standings has been Jen Scott, and she grabbed fifth, coming in ahead of teammate Elizabeth Peterson, who was sixth.
Kate Babbitt pushed her way into a top 10 spot (ninth overall), and the ever-improving Amber Anderson (pictured) wrapped up 14th place.
“Each race has thrown out a few pleasant surprises, and the upcoming SEC championship (Jan. 30) will be a fun time,” Johnson said, with an eye on next Wednesday’s meet.
Ranger Boys — 480 points
1. Ryan Wright 17:05
3. Shawn Wright 18:07
6. Steve Coozennoy 18:12
7. Travis Strike 18:37
8. Mitch Wohlk 18:50
9. Roman Morris 18:57
11. Mike Howe 19:09
14. Ben Brodin 19:16
Ranger Girls — 470 points
2. Annie Dehmlow 21:58
5. Jen Scott 22:31
6. Elizabeth Peterson 22:52
9. Kate Babbitt 23:50
14. Amber Anderson 24:50
24. Julia Hipp 27:08
31. Megan Gooley 28:30
Monday’s MLK Results
Boys
1. Brodin 24:58.9
3. Wright, R. 25:15.9
7. Wright, S. 26:16.2
10. Howe 26:24.7
11. Coozennoy 26:27.6
12. Wohlk 26:32.6
13. Strike 26:36.4
14. Morris 26:57.1
Monday’s MLK Results
Girls
5. Peterson 30:25.0
7. Dehmlow 31:07.1
17. Scott 33:00.0
30. Anderson 34:50.8
33. Babbitt 35:30.2
42. Hipp 37:42.5
50. Wilcox, Amy 40:23.4
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