Cloquet wrestling coach Al Denman set a team goal this season to win double the number of matches they did a year ago in their inaugural campaign. Last week, the Jacks defeated two established programs, Superior and Virginia, to even their record at five and five, which means they have already accomplished their early season goals.
"We may wrestle some guys up a weight class to fill the gaps in some matches and hope for the best due to illness and injuries," said Denman. "It's good to wrestle up a class once in a while. It makes you tougher in February."
In the Jacks 44-33 win over Superior, the team won eight matches and lost six in taking the victory. Mike Land, wrestling at 145 pounds, won by major decision and in doing so tacked on another win to his career total of 101.
The Jacks also got five pins in the match. Jordan Land, Evan Thill, Gage Savage, Patrick Kruchten and Nathaniel Schulz all won by a pin. Sonny Haine joined Mike Land by winning in a major decision and Jeremy Campbell won by forfeit.
Cloquet would have won another match as Simon Thill was winning handily, but he was disqualified for an illegal body slam on his opponent.
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The Jacks then downed Virginia 37-29 as Cloquet took seven of 14 matches, but won with more points.
Jordan Land and Evan Thill opened with forfeit wins, Haine won on a 6-4 decision, Jake Baker took his match at 140 pounds by a 9-1 score, Mike Land won by pinfall, Simon Thill won on a forfeit and the same with Jeremy Campbell.
The Lumberjacks depth is already much greater than last season and as the season continues, the young and relatively inexperienced squad should become an even stronger force in the local wrestling circles.
