Boys Class AA Preseason Team Watch List

Forest Lake breezed through to the state meet last season going 1-2-3-8-20 to win section 7AA with just 34 points. Though they lose a top runner among the best in the state last year, they return five of seven from that team including the mark of a state contender: four runners with sub-17 minute results. Right now projecting the Rangers to a 90 second 1-5 split is the difference between simply getting back to state and possibly improving upon their sixth place finish in 2018. Senior Max Charlsen has run 16:11 and looks to replace last season's top runner and sub 16-minute performer Charlie Babcock, after he posted a 4:29.11 1600m PR in the spring. The challenge and potential difference maker for Forest Lake at the state meet will be finding several athletes to improve a fifth man now represented by a time near 17:40. That would likely get the Rangers through sections again but presents a challenge at the state meet where points would fill quickly in that gap. However, with the proven state tested talent in front, any development on that front makes Forest Lake a serious threat inside the top ten teams this season in class AA.