Prior Lake girls' track success truly about the team

Some things never change.

Prior Lake's girls' track team won the Class 3A, Section 3 True Team meet in Apple Valley. It will participate in its sixth consecutive state meet Friday in Stillwater.

"Winning the True Team section meet is always one of the things our girls have as a season goal," Prior Lake coach Scot Jaenicke said. "Your top-level kids are always important in track and field, but it's that second and third level of girls that truly determine success at that meet. At no other time in track and field do you get that same feeling of complete teamwork."

Prior Lake has finished second to South Suburban Conference rival Lakeville South each of the past two years in the True Team state meet. It was also the runner-up in 2009.

"It has been a great run that we have had at Prior Lake, all because of a ton of great kids who come out and work hard for themselves and each other," Jaenicke said.

The Lakers accumulated 1,143 points to win the 10-team event. Eagan was second, 49 points back of the champions.

Prior Lake was paced by double-winners senior Kasie Vollmer and junior Sarah Schrader. Vollmer won the shot put (41, feet, 10 inches) and discus (148-1) while Schrader claimed the top spot in the long jump (17-5) and triple jump (35-8).

"It's so great to see that an individual sport can still create such a strong team," Jaenicke said. "That is what sports at this age is all about."

Farmington will join the South Suburban Conference for the 2014-15 school year. Its boys' hockey program turned to a coach who is familiar with the 10-team conference, recently hiring Burnsville assistant coach Greg May.

"I have experience as both a player and a coach in the South Suburban Conference [The Lake when he played], and am very familiar with all of the teams and their coaches," May said. "I am a very positive and passionate coach, who has high expectations, and likes to lead a player-centered environment."

May replaces Keith Revels, who guided the Tigers to a 23-4-1 overall record and the final Missota Conference crown this past winter. May graduated from Burnsville in 2003 and joined the Blaze coaching staff in 2010.

"Farmington had a great year last year under the direction of Keith Revels, winning the Missota Conference, and falling one game short of the state tournament," May said. "I plan on building on the momentum he has created. My focus is to help these players grow both on and off the ice, as we continue to create a consistent winning culture."