Cloquet Holds Letter Winners Banquet

Wes Vork-NSO

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May 15

Wes Vork-NSO

Lumberjack athletes from all Cloquet sports gathered on Sunday evening for Cloquet’s annual Letter-winners Banquet. All Cloquet letter-winners were recognized in addition, other awards were presented including boys and girls athlete of the year.

In a new format, student athletes who earned a letter not only received a framable certificate as in years past, but received an actual letter for their letter jackets. “This is something I remembered from my days in high school,” Cloquet Activities director Tom Lenarz explained to Northland Sports Online. “We needed over 300 letters, but we believed it was important to give (student athletes) an actual letter to put on their letter jacket. These kids work hard for this and do a great job of representing their School,” Lenarz added. Students who lettered in more than one sport received a chevron for each additional sport in addition to the letter.

Another new award presented for the first time this year was the Lumberjack Super Fan Award. The idea of the new award came out of the Lumberjack Award selection committee. In addition to a Lumberjack Award Winner, which is presented to a person who is a lifetime volunteer for Lumberjack sports, the committee saw the need to recognize someone who shows their dedication to Lumberjack athletics by supporting the teams from the stands.

The inaugural winner of the award was none other than Cloquet resident Jim Hagen. Hagen has been a fixture in the stands of all Lumberjack sports for many decades and epitomizes what the award stands for.

The Lumberjack award was presented by Wade Lamirande, who has been involved in Cloquet Hockey all his life. Lamirande presented the award to his youth coach Milo Rasmussen. Rasmussen has volunteered in the Cloquet hockey program since 1968 as a youth coach and referee. In 1974 Rasmussen took over manning the penalty box, a position he continues to cover for both boys and girls game yet today.

In presenting the award, Lamirande proudly displayed a most improved player trophy Rasmussen presented to him during the 1973-74 hockey season while explaining the impressions youth coaches have on young players.

Keynote speaker Ted Schick of Schick Corporate Learning entertained the audience by explaining the benefits and lessons students get out of participating in athletics. Schick, a veteran of over 100 triathlons also challenged graduating seniors, and their parents as well to work at keeping fit for a lifetime.

Lastly, the Cloquet boy and girl athlete of the year awards went to Jessie Ryan and Jared Anderson. The award honors the top three sport senior athlete.

In describing Ryan, her high school hockey coach Mike Bushey described Ryan as one of the hardest working and most competitive athletes he and her other coaches have ever been around. “She is so competitive, we run drills in practice and she keeps score.” Bushey commented. In addition to her numerous all-conference and all-state awards, Ryan is ranked #3 in her class academically.

Anderson was introduced by his track coach Tim Prosen, who said. “This is one of the toughest guys I

have ever met.” Prosen pointed out that in spite of battling problems with his shins which limits his practice, Anderson anchors arguably the hardest race in track competition, the 400 meter relay. “When you want someone to chase down a runner at the end of a race, you want the baton in his hand.” Prosen added. Anderson also won the CEC hockey teams Hobey Baker award. Prosen noted that Anderson skated several minutes of a hockey game with a collapsed lung. Stating, “He IS tough– this guy is a Lumberjack.”

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com