VanAcker Runs His Way Into the Forest Lake Record Book


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Often if a track and field athlete wins a state title in multiple sports, it's a combo such as track and cross country; soccer and track; track and football; and track and nordic skiing. Not often do you see a track and field athlete win a 1600m state title and wresting state title during their career like Forest Lake's Daniel VanAcker did. 

Vanacker during his senior year finished third at cross country state in the fall, won a wrestling state title in the winter, and won a track title in the spring. Not a bad way to finish your high school career.

VanAcker battled Mounds View's William Skelly for the Class AAA 1600m title, with the battle going down to the line where Vanacker finished just under a second ahead of Skelly with a state-leading 1600m time of 4:10.27. This is VanAcker's first state title for track or cross country. 

See also: Hayden Bills Makes State History With 2022 Season | Jordyn Borsch Sprints to Historic Success in 2022

This senior season Vanacker also broke the Forest Lake school records in the 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and anchored the school record 4x400m. 

VanAcker's New School Records vs. Old Record
Reflects the record heading into the 2022 season versus the end of it

EventOld RecordNew Record
800m1:56.431:54.46
1600m4:18.434:10.27
3200m9:25.779:09.08
4x400m3:26.153:20.99

VanAcker also set new personal bests in every event he ran this spring:

EventTime2022 MN State Ranking
400m52.16T-116
800m1:54.466th
1600m4:10.271st
3200m9:09.085th

This season overall VanAcker set new personal best times in every event from the 400m to the 3200m, won his first track state title, won a wrestling state title, and committed to run at the University of Minnesota. Quite the impressive senior season if we say so.