8
THE LOWDOWN
STUDIES & SPORTS www.presspubs.com
MAY 2022
Forest Lake Good Samaritans purchase new bikes for Forest Lake family BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER
One day while perusing Facebook, Mike Kaiser saw a post from a Forest Lake resident mentioning that her son, Braxton’s, bike was stolen. “It was nonconfrontational and all, just asking to bring the bike back, no questions asked, but I saw it and it just broke my heart,” said Kaiser, who is the founder and president of the Forest Lake Good Samaritans. Kaiser immediately got to texting and emailing community members and after just a few hours, the Good Samaritans raised enough money to purchase a new bike for the boy. After seeing the generous turnout, Kaiser’s wife, Sonja, suggested that they purchase
bikes for the boy’s parents, so the whole family could go on bike rides together. The family who received the bikes are new to the area and mentioned to the Kaisers that they had heard the term “Minnesota Nice” before but truly felt the sentiment after receiving the new bicycles. “It was the perfect family to help. They just moved here, and we found out the mother has a rare autoimmune illness that can be expensive to manage, so we wanted to help out,” said Kaiser. Good Samaritans of Forest Lake hope that actions like this will create a welcoming community for everyone and inspire folks to spread more kindness.
ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Staff Writer Corinne Stremmel can be reached by calling 651-407-1226 or emailing lowdownnews@presspubs.com.
nnika Gunderson
*Athletes chosen by Press staff
Justin Fretag
ATHLETES OF THE MONTH ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
Swimming
Stillwater Football
on Forest Lake swimming, his year, won the pole meets, going 10-1 at 10-6 at the Suburban Forest The 5-foot-3 senior alsoLake Swimming 00 dash for Gunderson, second place Annika a captain on Forest Lake swimming, one of the bestLake marks gymnastics and track teams this year, won the pole ptain on Forest swimming, vault in the Rangers’ first will be a contender for two meets, going 10-1 at ams this year, won the pole Knights Under the Lights and 10-6 at the Suburban wanberg. Last year, two meets, going 10-1 East Conference girlsatrelays. The 5-foot-3 senior also section polea vault posted strong (10-6) 13.34 in the 100 dash for second place
Annika Gunderson Annika Gunderson
ake Swimming
s and 10-6 at the Suburban in the Knights meet. “She has one of the best marks ays. The 5-foot-3 senior also in Minnesota in pole vault and will be a contender for the 100 dash for placeSwanberg. Last year, all-state,” saidsecond coach Shane Gunderson third in the section pole vault (10-6) e has one of the placed best marks and fourth in the 100 (13.07). lt and will be a contender for ane Swanberg. Last year, e Football n the section pole vault (10-6) rinter .07). who reached state
Cole Brisbois
Cole Brisbois
Forest Lake Football
won sprints in three Cole Brisbois, Forest 0-pound senior won the Lake 200 sprinter who reached state in three events last year, has won sprints in three , the 100 at Irondale, and invitationals. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior won the 200 hite Bear His oftimes of the 100 at Irondale, and at theLake. University Minnesota, ate toptheten. is arelay hugeat White Bear Lake. His times of 200“Cole and 4x100 and 22.72 said. rank in“He the state top ten. “Cole is a huge Andrew11.12 Richardson impact runner for us,” coach Andrew Richardson said. “He akegreat leader always sprinter whowho reached is a major point scorer.state He is a great leader who always how the rest of the year works hard. Iincan’t wait to see how the rest of the year has won sprints three goes for him.”team Brisbois led the Ranger football team with Ranger football 9, 170-pound senior wonwith the 200 863 yards from scrimmage (625 rushing, 238 receiving). 25 rushing, 238 receiving).
Cole Brisbois
Lake Football
esota, the 100 at Irondale, and at White Bear Lake. His times of the state top ten. “Cole is a huge Your Financial Partner | ach Andrew Richardson said. “He He is a great leader who always o see how the rest of the year
MIKE KAISER | CONTRIBUTED
President of the Forest Lake Good Samaritans, Mike Kaiser, poses with Braxton and his parents.
Justin Fretag of Stillwater placed second in both*Athletes shot put chosen by Press staff (47-4) and discus (133-2) in a meet of eight Suburban *Athletes chosen by Press staff East Conference teams at White Bear Lake. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior won shot put in two meets at Minnesota-Mankato with 50-7 and 49-7. His personal Stillwater Football bests are 51-11 in shot and 140-0 in discus. “Justin is Justin Fretag of Stillwater placed second in both shot put aJustin greatFretag athleteof(47-4) toStillwater work said Paul throws andwith,” discus (133-2) in a Wieland, meet of eight Suburban placed second in both shot put East Conference teams at ethic White and Bear Lake. The coach. “He has a tremendous work a great (47-4) and discus (133-2) in a meet of eight Suburban 6-foot-5, seniorinwon shot put in two meets mental approach. He’s320-pound very steady preparation and East Conference teams at White Bear Lake. The at Minnesota-Mankato with 50-7 and 49-7. His personal unflappable in competition, which in this sport is a bests are 51-11won in shot in discus. 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior shotandput140-0 in two meets“Justin is tremendous asset.” on thethrows a greatFretag athlete towas workalso with,”the saidcenter Paul Wieland, at Minnesota-Mankato with 50-7 and 49-7. His personal coach.team. “He has a tremendous work ethic and a great Ponies 8-2 football
Justin Fretag Justin Fretag
Stillwater Football
bests are 51-11mental in shotapproach. and 140-0 discus. is and He’sin very steady“Justin in preparation unflappable in competition, in thisthrows sport is a a great athlete to work with,” said Paul which Wieland, asset.” Fretag was also the center on the coach. “He hastremendous a tremendous work ethic and a great Ponies 8-2 football team. mental approach. He’s very steady in preparation and Stillwater unflappable in competition, whichSoftball in this sport is a tremendous asset.” Fretag was also the center on the Gaby LaFavor went 4-for-4 with a homer, four RBI’s and Stillwater Poniesruns 8-2infootball team. softball three Stillwater’s opener,Softball an 18-3 win over
Gaby LaFavor Gaby LaFavor
Roseville, and Gaby is 5-for-8 after two games. starter LaFavor went 4-for-4 with aAhomer, foursince RBI’s and three runs in Stillwater’s softball opener, 18-3 win over eighth grade, the 5-foot-8, 130-pound senior hitan.347 Roseville, and is 5-for-8 afterand two games. A starter last year with three homers, 15 RBI’s 17 runs. Shesince eighth grade, the 5-foot-8, 130-pound senior hit .347 has signed withlastMissouri-Kansas City. “Gaby has all the year with three homers, 15 RBI’s and 17 runs. She skills,” coach Angie Ryanwith said. “She can hit for“Gaby power has signed Missouri-Kansas City. has all the skills,” Angie Ryanand said. a“She candefensive hit for power and consistency, hascoach good speed, solid and consistency, hasand goodarm.” speed, and a solid played defensive presence with her glove, range LaFavor Gaby LaFavor went 4-for-4 withglove, a homer, fourarm.” RBI’sLaFavor and played presence with her range and outfield In 2019outfield and 2021 and is2021 now atissecond and and In 2019 and opener, andan now atwin second three runs in Stillwater’s softball 18-3 over to third base. “In the Gaby putGaby in aput lotinofawork thirdoff-season, base. “In the off-season, lot of work to Roseville,her andstrength,” isimprove 5-for-8her after two games. A starter since strength,” Ryan “She be looked improve Ryan said. “Shesaid. will be will looked to to eighth grade,inthe senior hit .347 as 5-foot-8, a leader in130-pound 2022.” as a leader 2022.”
Gaby LaFavor
Stillwater Softball
last year with three homers, 15 RBI’s and 17 runs. She has signed with Missouri-Kansas City. “Gaby has all the Your Financial Partner | 651-429-4531 | skills,” northstarbank.com | 4661Ryan Highway 61,“She White can Bear hit Lake coach Angie said. for power 651-429-4531 | northstarbank.com |and 4661 Highway 61, White Bear Lake consistency, has good speed, and a solid defensive presence with her glove, range and arm.” LaFavor played outfield In 2019 and 2021 and is now at second and third base. “In the off-season, Gaby put in a lot of work to
