BHS boys ski to milestone
Team takes fifthat first state meet
Brainerd finished fifth, one place higher than the 1999 Warrior girls' team, in Thursday's state meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.
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The Warriors scored 129 points, finishing just three behind fourth-place Irondale and only 10 behind third-place Minneapolis Southwest. Blake won the meet with 165 points, two ahead of runner-up Minnetonka.
"Going to that meet after finishing runner-up in our section we just automatically figured we would probably be in the bottom half of the top eight," Warriors coach Jim Ruttger said. "To come out on top of the second half we were real pleased.
"We also came out ahead of our section champion, Duluth East. That's always rewarding.
Brainerd Dispatch/File photo
"It was an incredible race, team and individually. In the team and individual race there were slaloms in the 30- and 31-second range. In all the times we've raced there, we've never seen anything below 33 seconds. There were some incredible skiers, some of the highest-ranked guys in the Midwest and a couple nationally ranked guys."
Scott Agre was Brainerd's top finisher, in 12th place. He was followed by Zach Skogen in 14th place, Tom Lyscio in 16th, Bror Linnerooth in 25th, Thomas Ruttger in 26th and Ryan Ruttger in 30th.
"I think I skied a smart race," Agre said of his team runs. "I was just trying to stand on both runs, which I did, so I was happy with that. Zach and Tom also stood. They both had two good runs."
Agre's goal was to beat the 18th-place finish of Mark Femling, who set the boys' program's high-water mark in 2003.
Boys' Team Results
1. Blake, 165
2. Minnetonka, 163
3. Minneapolis Southwest, 139
4. Irondale, 132
5. Brainerd/Pillager, 129
6. Eden Prairie, 108
7. Duluth East, 94
8. Mahtomedi, 74
Boys' Individual Results
1. Michael Ankeny, SO, Blake, 1:03.84
2. Pat Conway, SR, Minneapolis Southwest, 1:04.29
3. Marc Massie, SO, Blake, 1:06.04
4. Brad West, JR, Minneapolis Southwest, 1:06.78
5. Reed Kildow, SO, Apple Valley, 1:06.81
6. Peter Ankeny, SR, Blake, 1:06.87
7. Nels Roningen, JR, Duluth East, 1:07.34
8. Tim Loudas, SO, Woodbury, 1:08.37
Girls' Team Results
1. Duluth East, 167
2. Lakeville South, 163
3. Bloomington Kennedy, 138.5
4. Stillwater, 123
5. Edina, 121.5
6. Mahtomedi, 103
7. Virginia/Mesabi East, 85
8. Minnetonka, 68
Girls' Individual Results
1. Nikki Larson, FR, Lakeville South, 1:23.68
2. Krissy McNeill, SR, Bloomington Jefferson, 1:24.30
3. Megan Bacharach, SR, St. Cloud Area, 1:24.78
4. Andrea Radke, SO, Benilde-St. Margaret's, 1:26.55
5. Amanda Peterson, JR, Bloomington Kennedy, 1:26.84
6. Amy Sienko, SO, Duluth East, 1:26.89
7. Ajay Gersemehl, FR, Northfield, 1:27.60
8. Ali Zander, SR, Mankato West, 1:28.03
"Scott was sitting about 21st after the first run," Jim Ruttger said. "On the second run we figured he might be able to move up a couple places because the course suits his style. He skied clean.
"It wasn't as technically demanding of a course. Not as many skiers ahead of him fell or were (disqualified), so he pretty much stayed in the middle of the pack."
The meet marked the final high school competition for Agre and fellow senior Ryan Ruttger.
"You like to see your seniors go out on a high note and they did," Jim Ruttger said. "Scott had four clean runs. You couldn't ask for more from him.
"Ryan had a great second run. He did a little hip check on his first run that dropped him back a ways. I don't know if that made a difference or not because we were close to fourth place. We really felt like we had the potential to podium into one of the top three teams. To get within 10 points of third place, we're really happy with that.
Brainerd Dispatch/File photo
"We're pretty confident we have the potential to get back here next year and maybe improve our result."
In individual competition, Agre was the Warriors' only competitor, finishing 22nd.
"There was a lot of competition, a lot of really good guys in the field, some of the top racers in the country," Agre said. "I was satisfied with both runs. I stood on four runs today."
Agre said conditions were favorable in the midst of a prolonged cold snap.
"It was pretty sunny out so it wasn't too bad," he said. "It wasn't too windy so everything was pretty good. The snow conditions were a little better than I thought they would be. There were only 48 kids in the team race so the course didn't get too beat up. In the individual race, there were only 40 so the courses were pretty good."
Brainerd Dispatch/File photo
State meet notes
Lyscio and Ryan Ruttger made the all-state academic team. Eligible skiers must have a minimum 3.5 grade-point average.
Boys team scores: 1-Blake 165, 2-Minnetonka 163, 3-Minneapolis Southwest 139, 4-Irondale 132, 5-Brainerd 129, 6-Eden Prairie 108, 7-Duluth East 94, 8-Mahtomedi 74
Brainerd team places: 12-Scott Agre 1:11.12, 14-Zach Skogen 1:11.39, 16-Tom Lyscio 1:11.89, 25-Bror Linnerooth 1:15.70, 26-Thomas Ruttger 1:15.99, 30-Ryan Ruttger 1:20.7
Boys individual top eight: 1. Michael Ankeny, Blake, 1:03.84; 2. Pat Conway, Mpls Southwest, 1:04.29; 3. Marc Massie, Blake, 1:06.04; 4. Brad West, Mpls Southwest, 1:06.78; 5. Reed Kildow, Apple Valley, 1:06.81; 6. Peter Ankeny, Blake, 1:06.87; 7. Nels Roningen, Duluth East, 1:07.34; 8. Tim Loudas, SO, Woodbury, 1:08.37
Brainerd individual: 22-Scott Agre 1:12.36
Mike Bialka can be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.