Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Student Makes History at Wrestling Sections

Jocelyn Stillwell becomes first girl to qualify for state wrestling meet

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Jocelyn Stillwell, a senior at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton High School, made history last week by becoming the first girl in the school's sports history to qualify for the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament. Stillwell placed second in the Section 7 wrestling meet in the 190-pound weight division, earning her a spot at the state competition.

Why it matters

Stillwell's achievement is a significant milestone for girls' wrestling in the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton community and the state of Minnesota. Her success challenges gender norms in a traditionally male-dominated sport and paves the way for more young women to pursue wrestling at the high school level.

The details

Stillwell, a second-year wrestler, advanced to the state tournament by winning a true second match after falling to eventual champion Arlene Monticello of Hibbing in the semifinal round. She then pinned Alexis Fahey of Forest Lake, who entered the tournament with a 30-10 record, to secure her spot at state. Stillwell's teammate, Eden Jarvinen, also made history by finishing third in the 170-pound weight class as an eighth-grader.

  • Jocelyn Stillwell placed second in the Section 7 wrestling meet on February 8, 2026.
  • Stillwell will compete at the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament in the coming weeks.

The players

Jocelyn Stillwell

A senior at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton High School who became the first girl in the school's sports history to qualify for the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament.

Eden Jarvinen

An eighth-grader at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton High School who made history by finishing third in the 170-pound weight class at the Section 7 wrestling meet.

Al Denman

The head coach of the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton wrestling team, who expressed pride in Stillwell's and Jarvinen's historic achievements.

Arlene Monticello

A wrestler from Hibbing High School who won the 190-pound weight class at the Section 7 wrestling meet.

Alexis Fahey

A wrestler from Forest Lake High School who finished third in the 190-pound weight class at the Section 7 wrestling meet, losing to Stillwell in the true second match.

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What they’re saying

“I am extremely excited to be the first girl to go to state from Cloquet. I worked super hard for this and have been dreaming about this day for a while. I only wish I had started wrestling sooner.”

— Jocelyn Stillwell (Pine Knot News)

“What a thrill to see our girls team send one of their own to state for the first time. I'm so proud of Jocelyn. For a second-year wrestler to develop enough skill to make the state tournament is really rare. Her performance is a credit to all the hard work she put in on and off the mat.”

— Al Denman, Head Coach (Pine Knot News)

What’s next

Jocelyn Stillwell will compete at the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Jocelyn Stillwell's historic achievement in becoming the first girl from Cloquet-Esko-Carlton High School to qualify for the state wrestling tournament is a significant milestone for girls' wrestling in the community. Her success challenges gender norms and paves the way for more young women to pursue the sport at the high school level.