The North Branch wrestling team competed in what turned out to be its final event of the season last weekend. Here are the results from the individual sectional meet in Blaine:

103- Tom Mork DNP Season record 11-24

112- Erik Kostik 6th place Season record 25-15

119- Boyd Suparat 4th place Season record 29-10

125- Cory Crowell DNP Season record 10-11

130- Matt Newham DNP Season record 21-16

135- Chris Newham 5th place Season record 19-22

140- Jon Buck DNP Season record 11-22

145- Ryan Decorsey 3rd place Season record 20-8

152- David Kowarsch DNP Season record 8-27

171- John Wickoren DNP Season record 12-16

189- Adam Gades 6th place Season record 25-15

215- Duane Durant DNP Season record 10-16

HWT- Tom Westphal DNP Season record 2-8

Head Coach Tony Aho comments on the meet and the season:

This tournament can tear your heart out. The guys were really ready to go, but Section 7AAA is so loaded with talented wrestlers it takes more than desire. Often, you also need a little luck and we just couldnít find any. Boyd Suparat narrowly missed making the state tournament when he lost 2-1 to the Anoka wrestler in the semi-finals. Boyd is a great wrestler and a quality individual, so it is heartbreaking to see him come up short, but I know that he will do what it takes in the off-season to get himself better and get a chance to wrestle at the state tourney.

Ryan Decorsey also put out a great effort and just came up short, losing to the eventual champion (8-6) and runner-up (12-10). Both of those guys have been state-ranked all season and Ryan proved that he is right there with them, but it just wasnít his day. He has been a pleasure to have around and I know that he will go to college and do a nice job at that level.

Adam Gades is another senior who wrestled his heart out, but came up short of his goal. He lost an overtime match to the Forest Lake wrestler and gave up a match- winning takedown with 10 seconds left in the fifth place match. Adam has been a super captain for us and he will be sorely missed by this team.

Rounding out the placewinners are Chris Newham and Erik Kostik. Erik is our most improved wrestler this season after posting as many wins this season (25) as he had in losses last year. He is a good athlete with a great desire to win and do extra to make himself better. Chris had a very nice tournament, as he was not seeded and came in and took fifth. Chris has always had the talent to do well and this year showed that he could put out the effort to be successful.

We are very proud of our whole team. Having lost a lot of seniors, many thought we would have a poor year, but this is a special group of people, and they showed us all that hard work and the willingness to listen and learn can speed up your progress.

We are really looking forward to watching this very young team become one of the best North Branch has ever seen.

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