By Steve Morris

The North Branch wrestling team started the season red hot with a impressive win against North Suburban Conference foe Irondale on Nov. 30.

It was the Vikings first match of the season, which they won by a score of 45-19.

Daub Bartylla, in his second year on the wrestling team, had a nice showing with a narrow loss to a state entrant last season.

Head coach Tony Aho said it was a nice conference win for the team and a good way to start the season.

"Our conditioning looks good and it paid off for us in a lot of close matches. Zach Frink had a very nice win, showing that his hard work is starting to pay off," Aho said.

To start off the month of December, the boys wrestled in the Monticello Tournament were they saw some quality competition. The had three matches, they managed to win one.

In their first match against Champlin Park, the boys lost 24-44.

In the match, Nick Salo broke his collar bone for the second year in a row.

"We will really miss him in the lineup," Aho said.

Tom Mork, Erik Kostik and Greg Arnt each ended their matches with falls.

Versus Monticello, the boys suffered a similar fate, falling 24-36.

"These guys will continue to improve and be able to finish off their opponents late in matches," Aho said.

Again, Mork, Kostik and Suparat all won close matches against quality opponents.

In their final match of the tournament, the boys were able to pull of a big win 39-22 against Minnewaska, a state ranked team.

In the 215 weight class, freshman Justin Bergerson won 4-2.

Jake Kostik, in the 103 weight class, started off the team with an overtime win.

"Jake is going to be an excellent wrestler and he showed his grit in this one," Aho said.

North Branch 45
Irondale 19

103 Jacob Kostik won by fall

112 Sean Mukunza lost by fall

119 Tom Mork won by fall

125 Erik Kostik won 4-0

130 Daub Bartylla lost 3-4

135 Boyd Suparat won 6-2

140 Nick Salo lost 2-4

145 Matt Lutgen lost 4-17

152 Matt Newham won by fall

160 Chad Anderson lost 2-9

171 Zach Frink won 8-4

189 Greg Arnt won by fall

215 Justin Bergerson won by forfeit

HWT John Morrison won by fall

North Branch 24
Champlin Park 44

103 Jacob Kostik lost 5 -13

112 Sean Mukunza lost by fall

119 Tom Mork won by fall

125 Erik Kostik won by fall

130 Daub Bartylla lost by fall

135 Boyd Suparat won 7-3

140 Nick Salo lost by injury default

145 Matt Lutgen lost 0-6

152 Matt Newham lost by fall

160 Chad Anderson won 7-3

171 Zach Frink lost by fall

189 Greg Arnt won by fall

215 Justin Bergerson lost 6-10

HWT John Morrison lost 4-14

Monticello tournament

North Branch 24

Monticello 36

103 Jacob Kostik won by forfeit

112 Jake Kalkbrenner lost by fall

119 Tom Mork won 8-5

125 Erik Kostik won 3-2

130 Daub Bartylla lost 9-5

135 Boyd Suparat won 5-2

140 Joe Bloom lost by fall

145 Matt Lutgen lost 0-6

152 Matt Newham lost 2-3

160 Chad Anderson won 3-9

171 Zach Frink lost by fall

189 Greg Arnt won 4-1

215 Justin Bergerson lost by fall

HWT John Morrison won by fall

North Branch 39

Minnewaska 33

103 Jacob Kostik won 6-4 in overtime

112 Jake Kalkbrenner lost by fall

119 Tom Mork won by injury default

125 Erik Kostik won by fall

130 Daub Bartylla won by forfeit

135 Boyd Suparat won by forfeit

140 Joe Bloom lost by fall

145 Matt Lutgen lost 3-17

152 Matt Newham lost by fall

160 Chad Anderson lost by technical fall

171 Zach Frink lost by fall

189 Greg Arnt won 7-5

215 Justin Bergerson won 4-2

HWT John Morrison won by fall