The Jaguars wrestling team started out the 2011-12 dual meet campaign with an impressive performance at Clara City on Friday night.
They defeated BOLD 34-33 for their first win over the Warriors on the mats since the 1990s. It may be B-B-E's first-ever win against BOLD in wrestling, but I don't have complete records from the 1980s or 90s.
Both teams traded forfeits at the upper weights (195 and 220), but the closest win of the night went to B-B-E at the 106-pound class. There, Kaleb Voss won a 4-3 decision to start the dual with the Jaguars ahead 3-0.
In the second dual of the night, the Jaguars beat MACCRAY/Renville County West 43-29. What is pretty shocking is that MACCRAY/RCW gave up forfeits at 160, 170 and 182 pounds. Both teams had forfeits at 220.
For comparison's sake, the top four grades (9-12) combined enrollment for MACCRAY/RCW is 320; B-B-E's is 178...yet it's the Jaguars who are fielding the more complete varsity wrestling lineup. (That data is based on the 2010 enrollment figures.)
The last time B-B-E's wrestlers started 2-0 in dual meets was in the 2007-2008 season. On Dec. 6, 2007, the Jaguars began that season by beating Royalton/Swanville 34-27 and Rockford 55-25 in a home triangular. Going into the final three matches of the Royalton/Swanville match, the Jaguars trailed 27-21 before picking up a major decision, a pin and a decision to cap a thrilling win.