Carlton, Wrenshall talk sports co-op

The Wrenshall and Carlton school districts are continuing talks about a cooperative agreement when it comes to sports, something similar to the longtime agreement between the Moose Lake and Willow River district in the southern part of Carlton County.

Carlton superintendent John Engstrom reported to his school board Monday that after two meetings, the co-op committee has agreed to use the Moose Lake and Willow River “template” for pairing up in all sports in grades 7-12. He also said other extracurricular programs could also be added.

Neither district expects there will be a varsity football team this fall due to a lack of older students on the roster. Carlton principal Ben Midge said it was a matter of the age of the players and numbers of participants. The Raptors team would continue to play nine-man football for the JV season.

During Monday’s Wrenshall school board meeting, treasurer Nicole Krisak wondered aloud if the districts could leave open the option of a varsity team, in the hopes that more players will sign up this summer, but the board took no action on her proposal.

Wrenshall athletic director Jeremy Zywicki clarified that the decision to move to a JV season was discussed in depth by both district superintendents and activities directors.

“We all agreed that the program should drop to JV because of low player numbers and safety issues,” Zywicki said, noting that he has let the District 9 North nine-man conference know so that the varsity football schedules could be put into place for the fall.

In the fall, the two districts compete as the Raptors in cross country and football. The districts are looking for head coaches in both sports. Zywicki is resigning as a teacher, football coach and activities director to take a job with the Esko district. He has worked in Wrenshall for 17 years.

The co-op committee was set to meet again Wednesday in Wrenshall, after this issue of the Pine Knot News went to press.