Wright, Rangers on track for state title

When Ryan Wright awoke to a sharp pain in his chest in late October of last year, he knew something was wrong. With the cross-country section finals and the state meet right around the corner, all Wright could think about was being able to run with his Forest Lake teammates. "That was all I was really worried about," Wright said. "I tried to run that day at practice and it was just too painful. I could barely move when I got up that morning." After an X-ray revealed Wright's left lung had been partially collapsed from a blister, the high school senior was told he needed immediate surgery. Four surgeries later, Wright was cleared to start practicing for the Nordic ski season, although he missed out on the section and state cross-country meets. Wright finished fourth individually in the pursuit race at last year's state Nordic ski meet and helped his team to a state championship - the school's third in the past four seasons. As the top returning finisher individually from a year ago, Wright hoped to win his first championship in 2009. Although his injury set him back several weeks, Wright still thinks he can compete with the top skiers in the state, including Wayzata's Kasey Bacso and Eden Prairie's Erik Fagerstrom. "I don't plan on things changing much as far as my expectations are concerned," Wright said. "I know I'm behind, but I think I can work my way back up. I'm feeling good. I'm confident that I can go all out when I'm racing." Even with Wright being slowed by his unexpected injury, the Forest Lake team is stacked for another championship run. "We have some serious skiers back," Forest Lake coach Deno Johnson said. "This group has skied together for a while now and everyone in the program wants to be good." Besides Wright, Forest Lake has junior Steve Coozennoy (25th place at State in 2008 to earn All-State status), junior Mike Howe (53rd at State last year) and Mitch Wohlk (56th at State) back to lead the way for what will make a potent Ranger line-up. The goal for Forest Lake this season is to place five skiers in the top 25 at State. The Rangers have had four All-State skiers in a single season three times - 1999, 2006 and 2008 - but will shoot for one more this year (even though only four skiers count for the final team point total). Johnson said the off-season training done by his athletes is something that helps to set Forest Lake's team apart from most in the state. "We started our own off-season program seven years ago," Johnson said. "They work on roller skis in the summer for two-three hours per day, five days per week. It's not easy to do that when it's hot outside and you're not thinking about snow being on the ground. Nordic skiing is an endurance sport and it takes a lot of discipline." Junior Mathew Maki and freshmen Alex Kelley and Joe Jackson - an All-Conference selection last year as an eighth-grader - will also play key roles for the Rangers this season. Several of Forest Lake's athletes also spend time skiing in USSA competitions. Johnson - who also coaches the Forest Lake girls team - said he enjoys the little things that make Nordic ski racing a unique and wonderful sport. "I enjoy the beauty of the sport," he said. "It's been around since the time of the Vikings. It's really a lifestyle - you're outside in nature and in the cold. It's sport of raw power where you can push yourself to the limit." Wright - a captain this season -- thinks the Rangers can put together another state championship-worthy performance in 2009 and will attempt to win the individual title he has coveted for a long time. "I'd like to get both, but I would never put myself ahead of the team," Wright said. "Both are important to me. I've wanted to win (the individual pursuit race at State) since I started racing in ninth grade. I know everyone on the team is very dedicated and has worked really hard. We would love to get another team state title." With his lung healthy, a solid crew of talented skiers and a proven coach behind him, Wright will look to make up for some lost time at the state meet in February at Giants Ridge.