Despite Low Numbers, Cloquet-Esko Brings Toughness on Mats

C-E's Thiesen: 2022-23 state qualifier

CLOQUET, Minn.- The shorthanded Cloquet-Esko wrestlers are entering the new year with a chip on their shoulders.

“I don’t think a lot of kids expect anything when they hear they’re wrestling a Cloquet kid, because since we’re so small, we don’t win many duels,” says freshman Aiden Thiesen. “It’s annoying when we get counted out before it even starts.”

Team leader Warren Hietala has something to prove in his senior year. “”It’s a little bit pressure, being that it’s the last year and that I don’t have much to look forward to next year after high school.”

Hietala is among multiple Lumberjacks who have battled through major injuries on the mats. “It’s a little scary almost knowing that it could happen again at any moment, but as long as I be careful and wear the right gear this year, I’ll be just fine.”

Meanwhile, the future is bright for Cloquet-Esko. Thiesen has picked up right where he left off last season when he reached the state tournament at 113 pounds. “It was a pretty surreal moment to wrestle in that big of a crowd with that big of expectations,” smiled Thiesen. “I’m pretty fast, I can get in a lot of shots, and I’m really good at keeping the opponent down, not giving any easy escapes.”

“He has a lot of talent,” said Hietala in regard to Thiesen. “This kid has been out there for a long time; he’s wrestled with great wrestlers.”

Hietala and Thiesen are at very different points of their high school careers, but they have their eyes on the same prize. “This year, it’s going to state,” says Thiesen. “But then following (this season), it’s probably placing and eventually winning state.”

“Gotta make it to state this year,” says Hietala. “It’s the final push, so that’s the goal.”

Cloquet-Esko will begin 2024 with duals against Little Falls and Pierz on Friday, January 5.