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Ranger alums make splash at NCAAs
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008
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Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor
Just two weeks ago there was the unique situation of having three Forest Lake High School graduates competing at the NCAA Ski Championships.
Laura Edlund, Sarah Wright and Ben Fick were in Bozeman, as the three of them qualified from three different regions. But not even seven days later, another Ranger trio was reuniting, this time in Columbia Mo., for the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships.
Brian Welch (‘04) and Janel Duffy (‘07) are already teammates and dive at Minnesota State University, Mankato, while Sarah Chaussee (‘03) dives for Minnesota State University, Moorehead.
Forest Lake head diving coach Deb Welch showed her support by making the trip to Columbia, and enjoyed seeing her old athletes bring back the good old days.
“They all have been in and out of the Southwest (Junior High) pool, diving at different times to stay in shape over school breaks,” she said, “but to watch them compete at nationals, with the feeling you were watching brothers and sisters get reunited, was great.”
Chaussee and Brian Welch were making return appearances to the NCAA championships, and Duffy reached the elite level in just her freshman year.
Divers took part in both the 3 and 1 meter competitions, where Chaussee barely missed the sweet sixteen on the 1 meter, coming in 17th place, and took 22nd on the 3 meter.
Brian Welch held steady with a 20th-place finish on the 3 meter and a 21st on the 1 meter.
Duffy turned in a 28th-place performance on the 3 meter, and a 25th on the 1 meter.
“For a coach who has watched and helped them through the years, it was one of the coolest meets,” Deb Welch said. “You don’t get to see your girls dive with the boys in high school, so to have all three there and get to watch them sit with each other and have fun was more than great!”
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