Posted: 12/12/07
NB wrestlers stun Eagles
Vikes take first at HF Invite and third at Big Lake Invite
 NB wrestlers Zach Frink, left, and Greg Arnt warm up before the start of their match with the Totino-Grace Eagles Dec. 6 in North Branch. The boys won the meet 40-33. Arnt has a record of 11-0 with 7 pins and 17 take downs. |
By Steve Morris
Maybe some North Branch schools really do belong in the North Suburban Conference.
The Vikings wrestling team proved it can be competitive with the NSC with a impressive win against the Totino-Grace Eagles on Dec. 6. At home, the Vikings beat Totino-Grace 40-33.
"This was a huge win for our program," head coach Tony Aho said. "Totino has always had a solid program and we knew this one was going to come down to the very end," he said.
In the 103 weight class, freshman Jake Kostik started off the night on a positive note beating his opponent in a major decision.
"That got everyone jacked up," Aho said.
From there, things started bouncing North Branch's way as Viking wrestlers fought their hardest for the win.
Chad Anderson in the 160 weight class won by fall while Matt Lutgen in the 145 weight class won by decision.
"Chad and Matt gave everything they had and came up with huge wins," Aho said proudly of his wrestlers.
Greg Arnt, Justin Bergerson and John Morrison sealed the deal for the Vikes, all coming up with wins.
"We would like to thank the amazing fans that came out and willed these boys to a great win. The gym was louder than any I have heard in 20 years of coaching," Aho said.
Big Lake Invitational
On Dec. 7, the boys wrestled in the Big Lake Tournament, where they came in third place out of eight teams with 195.5. Monticello won the meet with 219 points.
Several boys took home championship titles.
Erik Kostik, Boyd Suparat and Arnt each won championships for their weight class.
Tom Mork, Jake Kostik, Bergerson and Morrison each took second place.
Hinckley Early Bird Invite
On Dec. 4, the boys were in Hinckley for the Early Bird Invite where they took first place.
They beat Meadow Creek Christian 56-21, Princeton 46-21 and Hinckley-Finlayson 53-25.
After the long week of wrestling, Aho is pleased with what he has seen thus far.
"Wow ... We are so proud of the effort these young men put out," he said.
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