---

Five underclassmen represented North Branch at the Minnesota State Track and Field Meet June 9 and 10. Juniors Nick Ramberg, Cody Good and JJ Koerber and sophomores Ryan Norman and Aaron Cedergren earned their way to state, held at Hamline University.

Friday, June 9, Ramberg got things off to a good start for the Vikings by qualifying for Saturday’s final. Ramberg’s 1:58.59 was third in his heat and third overall.

The 800 relay team, Cedergren, Norman, Koerber and Good finished in 11th place with a time of 8:22.75. That time was not as fast as the team ran in winning the North Suburban Conference (8:17.24) nor the Section 7AA Meet (8:14.56). The all-senior Lakeville North team won the event in 7:49.38, only one second off the state record established by Stillwater in 2004.

Ramberg began a grueling Saturday by competing in the 1600. His 4:28.43 placed him 12th in the field. Junior Ben Blankenship of Stillwater won the event by running a 4:13.68.

An hour later, in the 800, Ramberg got caught in the middle of the group and was unable to break out. The result was a 1:58.59, good enough for an eighth place medal. Sophomore Isaac Veldkamp took first in 1:56.30, only two tenths of a second faster than Ramberg’s time in the Section 7AA Meet.

Congratulations to all five runners. We look forward to their efforts in 2007.

---