Chisago Lakes wrestling extravaganza a success

The Lent Town Hall was packed to the rafters last Saturday night as the Chisago Lakes Wrestling Booster Club hosted their fourth annual Wrestling Extravaganza to raise money for the youth, middle school and high school wrestling programs in the Chisago Lakes Area. And while the total amount raised for the evening is not yet available, organizer Joe Virga said “I am confident it will turn out to be the best year we’ve had so far.”

A crowd of nearly 700 people, paying $100 per couple, enjoyed dinner, beverages and an evening of fun, games and raffles. The winner of the $5,000 grand prize was Tim Walden. “The most impressive thing about the night was all the people who showed up,” said Virga. “And the last few years around here have put a lot of strain on local businesses because of the roadwork and the economy, but every business I went to was glad to help out. The success of the evening is a testament to quality of people we have in the community.

“In addition to the attendees and the sponsors, I also want to acknowledge all of the volunteers who helped make the event a success. Thank you to Deb Hoyt for organizing all of the logistics for the evening, Kerry Zupko for the pictures and decorations for the hall, all of the parents that volunteered and a special thanks to Lee Ann Vande Kamp of Twin Pines Auction who, for the fourth year in a row, generously gave of her time as master of ceremonies for the evening. And thanks to the high school wrestling coaches, including head coach Shawn Frederixon and assistant coach Craig Zupko, who helped out right there along with the rest of us.” Three other local youth sports organizations also benefitted from the evening: hockey, fast pitch softball and dance. Each organization sold 50 or more of the $100 tickets. Hockey and fast pitch softball sold tickets to last year’s fundraiser and commented that it was one of the most successful fundraisers they ever had. This year, the dance team approached Virga with just over a month left before the event and asked to sell some tickets. Within two weeks, the dance team had sold their allotment of 50 tickets.

Chisago Lakes wrestling has improved in last decade with the arrival of Frederixon and the development of an excellent youth wrestling program. Just this past winter, the Wildcat high school team had their highest finish ever at a state tournament and sent a record number of wrestlers to the individual part of the tournament. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to continue to improve the quality of the wrestling programs, from youth on up through high school, in the Chisago Lakes area.