January 3, 2008 at 7:39 a.m.

The Year in Sports 07

The Year in Sports 07
The Year in Sports 07

JANUARY

Led by four first place finishes by Hunter Heggerston and three firsts by Steve Boo, the Wildcat boys' swimming and diving team remained unbeaten in the NSC after beating Benilde-St. Margaret's 101-71 in the CL pool. They followed that with a 10-point win over second-place Monticello in the Section 2A true Team Meet at Spring Lake Park. John Donahue (backstroke) and Tom McGurk (breast stroke) set new school records in the True Team event.

The Wildcat basketball boys defeated the Vikings 54-48 at Chisago Lakes. Zach Sill (13) Chris Golv (11) and Joe Knafla (10) led a balanced scoring attack for the Wildcats. Justin Novak (14), Jake Chambers (14) and Nick Perrin were top scorers for the Vikings.

The Viking girls reversed a November 70-52 loss to the Wildcat basketball team by beating CL 56-38. NB senior guard Gabrielle Olson was the dominant player on the court, scoring 24 points.

FEBRUARY

Trailing 19-14 halfway through a meet at North Branch, the Wildcat wrestling team took six of the last seven matches to take a 42-25 North Suburban Conference win. Mitch Anderson, Derek Silbernagel, Troy Montague and Tony Gall pinned their Viking opponents. Jake Kostik, Boyd Suparat and John Wickoren scored pins for the Vikings.

The Chisago Lakes-St.Croix Falls alpine ski teams completed their dual-meet seasons with wins over Centennial and Champlin Park. The boys and girls finished the season with perfect 7-0 records.

One week later, the teams continued their dominance by winning the North Suburban Conference Meet at Wild Mountain.

Senior playmaker Gabrielle Olson led her North Branch Viking teammates to a 43-39 win over Benilde-St. Margaret's. Olson scored 16 points in the victory at home, which ended Benilde's conference win streak of 64 games. Three nights later, Olson got her 1000th point in a loss at St. Francis.

Wildcat skiers Simone Raedeke, Sarah Bottjen, Daniel Sandgren and Dominick Raedeke competed in the State Meets at Giant's Ridge in Biwabik. D. Raedeke was the top finisher for CL. He finished 12th.

Courtney Skoog, Jess Peterson and Megan Corradi scored in double figures to lead the Wildcat girls to a 79-34 win over Columbia Heights. In the conference win, 14 'Cats scored.

March

Chisago Lakes gymnasts Britni Harris and Andrea Olson competed in the State Gymnastics Meet at St. Paul's Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Harris on the vault, uneven bars, the balance beam and the all-around competition. Olson competed on the balance beam.

CL basketball players, fans and coaches honored five Wildcat seniors who played together since they were seventh graders. Jess Peterson, Kayla Schultz, Courtney Skoog, Kristen Tengwall and Jamie Tschida did their best in the game that followed, but Robbinsdale-Cooper won 44-35.

All seven Viking seniors scored in a 70-31 North Branch girls basketball win over Columbia Heights. Tiffany Good scored 22 points to lead NB and became the fifth member of the Viking girls' 1000 point club. The other seniors, Amy Aho, Ellie Fairbanks, Gabrielle Olson, Kacie Ramberg, Lacee Scherer and Randi Zentner led the celebration.

Eight Chisago Lakes swimmers qualified for the State Swimming and Diving Meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. John Donahue (medley relay, backstroke), Kevin Roggeman (medley relay, butterfly), Tom McGurk (medley relay, breast stroke), Hunter Heggerston (medley relay, 50, 100, 200 freestyle relay), Andy Willhite (diving) and Steve Boo, Dave Willhite and Ethan Karwand (200 freestyle relay) competed for the Wildcats.

Chisago Lakes senior Mitch Anderson and North Branch junior Erik Kostik participated in the State High School Class AAA Wrestling Tournament at the Xcel Center in St. Paul.

Anderson lost 4-0 to Brian Theroux of White Bear Lake at 125 pounds. Kostik, wrestling at 119 pounds, pinned his first round opponent before losing to Apple Valley's Tom Kelliher who finished second in the tournament.

The Chisago Lakes boys' basketball season came to unexpected end when Fridley upset the Wildcats 67-61 in the first round of section playoffs. The overtime loss ended the careers of Wildcat seniors Troy Aadland, Tyler Bouwens, Chris Golv, Brian Jennissen, Joe Knafla, Taylor Lindeman, Scott Leigh, Justin Rivard and Zach Sill.

Chisago Lakes seniors, quarterback Brian Jennissen and linebacker Zach Sill, were named to the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association Class 4A Academic All-State Team.

North Branch alumnus Sheena Devine won the NCAA-Division II National Indoor Championship by throwing the shot put 51-00.25 in Boston, Massachusetts. Devine, a junior at Bemidji State, was joined by fellow NBHS grad Joe Remitz at the meet. Remitz, also a junior at BSU, was fourth in the meet.

University of Minnesota Morris senior Brendan McNally was named to the first team Upper Midwest Conference all-conference basketball team for the third consecutive season. The 2003 CLHS graduate majored in Mathematics.

April

The Wildcat and Viking track teams kicked off the 2007 track season at the University of Minnesota in an indoor event featuring Holy Angels, Big Lake and the two Chisago County schools.

Wildcat firsts went to the girls 1600M relay (Shana Meath, Shannon Monson, Lindsey Fowler-Wacholz, Chelsea Johnson), Fowler-Wacholz (triple jump), Brenna Coyle (shot put), Christian Swanberg (60M), 4X200 Relay (Swanberg, Brian Jennissen, David Berget, Chris Golv), Zach Hunter (800M), Josh Nielsen (200M), Golv (high jump), and Taylor Lindeman (shot put).

Viking firsts went to Kristen Robatcek (high jump), Randi Zentner (60M hurdles), Nick Ramberg (1600M, 1000M) and Aaron Cedergren (400M).

Zach Sill and Josh Figini of Chisago Lakes and Jake Chambers of North Branch were named to the North Suburban Conference All-Conference boys basketball team. The CLHS squad earned conference, section and state academic team championships.

The Wildcat and Viking baseball teams kicked off the season with an extra-inning game at North Branch. Pinch runner Andrew Verhey scored the winning run for the Wildcats in the eighth inning for an exciting 4-3 victory.

The Wildcat winning streak continued with wins over Hermantown, Duluth Central, Princeton, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Irondale, Cambridge Isanti, Robbinsdale-Cooper, St. Louis Park, St. Francis and Columbia Heights. As April ended, the Wildcat record stood at 11-0 and remained the only undefeated Class AAA team in Minnesota.

MAY

After a seven game losing streak to start the 2007 season, the North Branch Viking baseball team came to life with five consecutive wins. the Vikes beat Big Lake (2-1) and Paynesville (4-3) to win the Big Lake Invitational tournament. NB then reeled off three more wins as they beat Fridley 8-5, Robbinsdale Cooper 12-2 and Duluth Denfeld 11-0.

The Wildcat softball team's offense shifted into high gear as it beat St. Louis Park 17-1, Irondale 9-3, Columbia Heights 13-7 and St. Cloud Tech 5-2. Senior Morgan Baumgard hit three homeruns over the four-game stretch.

The Wildcat boys and the Viking girls came away with team titles at the Chisago Lakes Track Invitational. Viking Sara Swanson was the top performer among the girls with three individual wins. Wildcat Sprinter Christian Swanberg swept the 100 and 200 for CL.

The Wildcat boys' golf team completed an outstanding North Suburban Conference season by winning the season-ending 18 hole event at Pebble Creek in Becker. The CL six shot a 155-152=307 to edge Benilde-St. Margaret's and St. Louis Park teams that each shot 312's.

Wildcat senior Luke Angrimson was the medalist with a 34-38=72 total. Angrimson was also the medalist at the Section 7AA Golf Tournament at Grand National in Hinckley. He shot a 68-73=141 to tie for the top spot with Kyle Lewis of Forest Lake.

The Wildcat tennis team completed its conference dual-meet season with a 7-0 win over Robbinsdale-Cooper.

The Viking softball team came back from a 5-0 deficit to beat Totino-grace 10-5 at North Branch.

Wildcat junior Brenna Coyle earned a spot on the All-North Suburban Conference Team in two events, shot put and discus.

Vikings Sara Swanson (four events), Miranda Charley (three events) and Nick Ramberg (two events) led a list of 18 NB athletes chosen to the all-conference squad.

The Chisago Lakes Wildcats completed their conference baseball season with a 13-1 NSC record (18-2 overall) to win the league championship.

JUNE

The North Branch boys and Chisago Lakes girls 4x800 relay teams set school records at the Section 7AA Track and Field Meet in Grand Rapids.

The Viking boys, Aaron Cedergren, JJ Koerber Cody Good and Nick Ramberg, set the Section 7AA record and qualified for the state meet by completing the race in 8:01.07. The Wildcat girls, Danielle Vitali, Chelsea Johnson, Andrea Brelje and Kristen Tengwall, established a new CLHS mark by covering the distance in 10:08.9.

The Wildcat baseball team's record-setting season came to an end after compiling an 18-3 record. CL, which opened the Section 7AAA Tournament with an 8-2 win over Big Lake, was upended by Forest Lake 8-0 in the second round.

Luke Angrimson finished in fifth place at the Minnesota State AA Golf Tournament. The CLHS senior shot a two over 72+74=146 at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids.

Four Wildcat tennis players, Matt Carpenter, Mark Eagan, Scott Leigh and Joe Knafla, earned All-North Suburban Conference honors for their play on the courts in 2007.

Wildcat senior Breanna Coyle earned All-Conference in the shot put and discus.

Wildcat senior linebacker Adam Gemuenden played in the Minnesota All-Star Football Game in St. Cloud.

JULY

Five Wildcat baseball players, Adam Gemuenden, Jeff Hollister, Dan Kaiser, Bob LeVasseur and Eric Reed earned All-Conference recognition. The five were part of the record-setting CLHS team that went 19-3 during the 2007 season.

A record 540 runners competed in the Lindstrom Loppet. Digger Carlson was the overall winner for the fourth time. For the second consecutive year, Laura Edlund was the first woman across the line.

More than 1500 triathletes swam, biked and ran their way to the finish lines in the second Chisago Lakes Triathlon, Sunday, July 29. The day before, nearly 400 kids, ages 3-12, participated in the CL Kids Triathlon.

AUGUST

The Family Pathways 5K/15K Run/Walk Fundraiser attracted 210 participants. Saturday, August 5, the runners and walkers, ages 4-77, completed the Chisago City course. Anthony Peter was the winner of the 15K race, which was new this year. Steve Magnuson, Lindstrom, edged Ray Mitchell of Chisago City to win the 5K event.

SEPTEMBER

The Wildcat Football team opened its season by upsetting ninth ranked (5A) Farmington 21-10 at Chisago Lakes. Jake Spehar rushed for 116 yards, Jon Lien scored two touchdowns and a stubborn CL defense forced three turnovers and held the Tigers scoreless in the second half.

The Wildcat soccer teams shut out the Vikings. CL boys Benj Figini and Aaron Bergerson scored for the Wildcats in a 2-0 win over the much-improved Vikings. Cassie Trandahl scored twice and Sarah Lasiuk provided the only other scoring in a 3-0 win over North Branch.

The Viking girls won and the NB boys were second at the North Branch Invitational cross country meet. Sophomore Miranda Charley won the individual title by finishing first, followed by teammates in places 2-6. Junior Mike Heidelberger was the first boy to finish the 5K race.

The Wildcat football team broke out to a 51-0 lead on the way to a one-sided 51-20 win over North Branch. With the game under control, Wildcat head coach Bill Weiss let reserves play the entire second half.

OCTOBER

The Wildcat volleyball team ran its North Suburban Conference record to 5-1 and their overall mark to 12-5 with a 25--10, 25-12, 25-15 win over archrival North Branch in the CLHS gym.

The Wildcat tennis team defeated three of four conference opponents in a 10-day stretch. The CL netsters beat Columbia Heights, Fridley and North Branch during the span.

With the score tied at 28-28 in the third quarter, the Wildcat football team went on a 28-0 tear to beat St. Francis 56-28. Their record stood at 5-2 with one regular season game remaining.

The Wildcat volleyball team won conference matches over North Branch, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Irondale and Spring Lake Park, setting up a championship showdown with Totino-Grace. Totino ended the CL winning streak and hopes of an NSC title by defeating the 'Cats 23-25, 25-10, 25-12 and 25-18.

Viking senior Kristin Kaminski scored twice as the North Branch girls' soccer team upset the fourth seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks 2-1 in the first round of the Section 7A playoffs.

North Branch freshman runner Ali Zimmerman led the Viking girls to the NSC cross country title. Zimmerman, Haley Hasleiet, Miranda Charley, Dani Privratsky, Shayna Gray, Briana Berthiaume and Kendra Norman all finished in the top 14, securing All-Conference spots for the entire varsity team.

NOVEMBER

The Chisago Lakes football team defeated St. Paul Harding (53-34) and St. Paul Johnson (44-26) to run their way to the Section 4AAAA championship game. The 'Cats trailed Harding 22-20 and Johnson 20-0 at halftime before overwhelming their opponents in the second half of each game.

The Wildcat football team lost to state finalist Mahtomedi 42-34 in the Section 4AAAA championship football game at the CLHS stadium.

Wildcat senior Sarah Lasiuk was named to the All-State Honorable Mention Soccer Team. She is in the top one percent of the players in the state, according to Wildcat head coach Brett Kjos.

DECEMBER

The Wildcat basketball girls beat the Vikings 53-49 in an early-season matchup at North Branch. Senior Kori Sells paced the 'Cats with 24 points. Freshman Kendra Norman scored 14 for the North Branch.

The Wildcat and Viking boys' basketball teams opened their seasons with wins. Behind Josh Figini's 19 points and 13 by Evan Tienken, the Wildcats beat Princeton 58-51. North Branch started the season with a win over Duluth Central. Jake Chambers scored 25 points while John Lindstrom and Ryan Norman each scored a dozen in a 69-55 win at home.

The Wildcat swimmers opened the boys' swimming and diving season with a win at the North Suburban Conference Relays. CL amassed 324 points to 310 for second-place Spring Lake Park.


Comments:

Commenting has been disabled for this item.

Events

August

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.

Events

August

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.