Proctor-Hermantown swim team sinks CEC 50-44

Kayla Whipple likes the Herb Drew Pool. In fact, she loves it.

After winning a trio of titles in the season-opening meet against Two Harbors in early September, the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton junior did one better last Thursday at the Cloquet Middle School.

Whipple dominated the swim lanes at her home pool last week against Proctor-Hermantown and collected the 50- and 100-yard freestyle titles, while she was a part of the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay teams that claimed top honors.

Unfortunately, Proctor-Hermantown was just a little better. Winning their second straight meet, the Rails used a handful of solid performances to top the Lumberjacks 50-44 in a thrilling dual meet that had fans on the edge of their seats.

The highlight of the evening was watching Whipple dominate before her faithful home crowd of swim fanatics.

In addition to her individual wins, Whipple was joined

in the 200-yard freestyle relay win by senior captain Aimee Goldschmidt and sophomores Alyson Denman and Kristina Erickson. For the 400-yard freestyle relay crown, Whipple combined again with Denman, Erickson and junior Whitney Wysocki.

Despite the close loss, the ’Jacks have been quite competitive this fall, facing off in a pair of home meets, at the Superior Relays, and at Two Harbors and Duluth Denfeld.

And with Whipple heading the lanes, anything can happen come section time.

CEC gets back in the pool Thursday when they travel to Morgan Park Middle School in Duluth, before they head to the Mesabi East Invitational Saturday. Their next home meet is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday against Duluth East at CMS.

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