Minnesota State High School 2004-2005 Season Preview
November 15, 2004
The Minnesota State High School Nordic season kicked off
on Monday with the opening day of practice. These days, you'll
find many of the contending skiers spending much of their
summer and fall in training programs and clinics, along with
plenty of cross-training activities like cross-country running.
Brynden Manbeck of Grand Rapids |
The State Meet will be held on February 18th at the defacto
home course: Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN. However, there may
be some significant changes at the State Meet this season. While
no final decisions have been made, officials are looking at
the possibility of reversing the event order this season, starting
with individual freestyle starts in the morning followed by
a classical pursuit in the afternoon. In addition, the courses
may be changed this season to loop the skiers back through the
start area for a second time giving them an additional boost
from the large stadium crowd.
Individuals
With the graduation of stars Garrett Heath (Winona) and Shannon
Bergstadt (Hopkins), the individual titles are up for grabs
this year.
For the boys, St. Louis Park's Jesse Lang is the leading
candidate for the top spot. Lang has continued to improve
each year and this year marks his senior season. But it won't
be a free ride -- Max Jeronimus (Duluth East), Ben Fick (Forest
Lake), Lang's own teammate Mike Mommsen, Chris Ziegler (Detroit
Lakes), and Karl Nygren (Lakeville) all have a serious shot
at individual titles as well as the overall title. And if
that's not enough competition, a number of guys are lurking
on the edge and may possibly bust up to the next level this
season. This list includes Ted Lafrance (Duluth East), Aaron
Dewahl (St. Paul Central), Mark Johnson (Grand Rapids), and
Eric Carter (Mpls Southwest).
In the girls race, Grand Rapids Brynden Manbeck appears to
be destined for the overall title. Manbeck has a strong biathlon
background and experience skiing in international level competitions.
But like Lang, Manbeck has no easy road ahead. Jenna Klein
(Ely) and Elizabeth Yetzer (State CC champion, Lakeville)
could easily top Manbeck with Katie Bono (Visitation), Sarah
Wright (Forest Lake), and Elizabeth Tacl (St. Cloud Cathedral)
all in the mix as well. In addition, keep your eye on Anna
Roessler (Grand Rapids), Rita White (Roseville), Claire Luby
(St. Paul Central), and a rising superstar, 8th grader Addie
Byrne (Grand Rapids).
Teams
The team competition should be some of the most exciting
in recent years. Duluth East boys and Grand Rapids girls are
the returning champions.
St. Louis Park's Jesse Lang |
Duluth East boys will field yet another state title contending
team this season. While a few top seniors were lost to graduation,
the team returns seniors Max Jeronimus, Ted Lafrance and Jason
Kask and junior Joe Tofte. Every bit as well qualified is
the St. Louis Park team fielding top skiers Jesse Lang and
Mike Mommsen, along with sophmores Tim Cheeseboro and Andrew
Tilman. These two teams should contend for first and second
in February. However, Grand Rapids is a strong possibility
to make a move into that pairing with improvements this season.
Dark horses include Lakeville and possibly Roseville.
The Grand Rapids girls team, who won their first title last
season, may not be able to hold off a strong Ely team. The
Ely girls are lead by Jenna Klein and Kelly Chaudoin, along
with Ali Schulze, Ellen Anderson, and Casey Sovil. Grand Rapids
returns with Brynden Manbeck and Anna Roessler out in front
and supported well by teammates Sara Gaalaas, Addie Byrne,
and Kalie Mix. Rounding out the top podium contenders is Forest
Lake. Star Sarah Wright enters her senior season and is accompanied
by Becky Alexander, Nikki Duff, Jenny Coozennoy, Katie Clark,
and Annie Dehmlow. Ely is the slight favorite with Grand Rapids
and Forest Lake just as easily taking over that top position.
On the radar: Roseville.
Think snow, enjoy the season, and start making those State
Meet plans!
| Many metro area stores offer great high school
packages and pricing. Check out Gear
West, Finn
Sisu, Hoigaards,
and Joes Sporting
Goods for the latest equipment and details on special
packages/pricing. In addition, Fast
Wax offers a special program for high school teams.
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Related links
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