Posted: 2/7/07
A negative into a positive
 Matt Newham, a junior in the 140 weight class, does exercises in the North Branch gym Feb. 1. North Branch and all other wrestling programs in the state resume matches and practice starting Thursday, Feb. 8. |
By Steve Morris
It may seem like an oxymoron, but wrestlers across the state of Minnesota held wrestling practice, all while not touching each other. The week-long decree by the Minnesota State High School League was put in place to prevent a serious outbreak of herpes gladiatorum.
However, despite the bump in the road, it didn't keep the North Branch wrestling team from holding practice. Instead of the regular routines of practicing technique, the team lifted weights and worked on conditioning, head coach Tony Aho said.
A quick glance into the weight room days after the suspension was announced, it was evident the North Branch team wasn't using the time away from contact as an excuse to go home and play NBA Live for the XBOX 360. Aho had the team split in two. One group went to the weight room while the other was doing grueling exercises in the gym.
Aho turned the suspension into a positive thing. For him, it gave the team an opportunity to work on areas they normally wouldn't have time for and it also gave kids who are injured a chance to heal.
Exercising caution, Aho sent three of his wrestlers to get tested last week -- they all turned up negative for the virus.
Aho said the decision by the MSHSL to suspend the season was a good idea.
"I think they should have done it a few years ago," Aho said, referring to an outbreak years back.
Aho runs a clean wrestling program at North Branch. In between every match, the team showers, something not every team does. Sophomore Boyd Suparat said he has noticed no other team shower in between matches this season. Suparat, who is 23-4, said he didn't mind the suspension.
In addition, all practice clothes and the mats are cleaned and washed after each use to prevent the spread of any virus. If Aho, or any other member of his coaching staff notices anything abnormal on his wrestlers skin, they are sent to get it checked out.
Because of the suspension, North Branch lost two matches against Mora and Rush City. The Vikings will wrestle Benilde-St. Margaret's and Columbia Heights on Feb. 13.
North Branch's first meet back is against Spring Lake Park on Feb. 8.
During the week-long suspension, six schools and 16 wrestlers have reported cases of the virus. That brings the total number of cases to 16 teams and 40 wrestlers.
All things considered, Suparat is happy he will be able to get back on the mat soon and wrestle for his coaches and his school.
"I love our coaches, I wouldn't want any other coaches besides them."
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