It was a long but  triumphant season for Jack Vaselaar who recently finished third in State for the 132 lb. weight class.

“It was a rough start to the year, but it got a lot better, I was able to finish 32-13.” Vaselaar said.

Vaselaar who achieved the 100th win of his high school career this season had not been to the State meet since freshman year, missing sophomore year’s tournament because of injury problems.

“It was felt good to be back in the state tournament, I was much more nervous my freshman year than this year.” Vaselaar said.

Vaselaar, who competed in the 132 pound class, had to cut twenty pounds to compete make weight for his class.

“To get to this class I worked out three times a day, and skipped breakfast and lunch, I only ate dinner, I did that for two months.”

When he got to the weight he needed things went well for Vaselaar at the state tournament.

“It certaintly went a lot better then expected, I took third which was a great achievment for me.” Vaselaar said.

“That was the best a Winona wrestler has done for a long time, he had a great season, especially after the stuff he went through,” said teammate and Cotter freshman Tyler Nachtigal.

However, Vaselaar keeps striving for greatness, he has his eyes on the prize for next year.

“I’m going for the State title next year, but I’m going to have to put in a lot of work in the off season if I’m trying to win.” Vaselaar said.

Vaselaar says the keys to his success are three things:
“My coaches, my parents and my hair.”My coaches and my parents do a lot for me and definitely push me to be the best wrestler I can be, and, yes, I truly believe I have the best hair  of any wrestler in Minnesota, especially at the State meet, I had some pretty lit hair,” Vaselaar said.