Posted: 3/7/07
Kostik fights hard at state
 Erik Kostik flips Scott Padrnos of Brainerd on his back and seconds later had the pin during the state wrestling tournament March 1 at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul. Kostik pinned Padrnos in 33 seconds. |
By Steve Morris
Despite last Thursday's snow storm, more than 13,000 wrestling fans flooded the Xcel Energy Center to watch the state's best wrestling talent.
Among the talented was North Branch's Erik Kostik who wrestled in 119 pound weight class. Kostik won his first match in lightning-quick speed but lost his next two matches and did not medal.
In his first round, the self described anger-driven Kostik won his first state match in impressive fashion.
At noon on March 1, Kostik pinned his first round opponent, Scott Padrnos of Brainerd, in 33 seconds. The pin sent his opponent running off the mat in near tears and had coach Tony Aho smiling like he had just won the powerball jackpot.
"Whenever you pin someone at the state tournament that is huge," Aho said. "He's more mentally ready than any guy I have seen in a long time."
Kostik remained humble about his pin at state.
"I just knew I was going to hurt someone," he said. "I wish it would have lasted a little longer. You don't learn anything if it's that short."
After the quick pin, Kostik wrestled later the same day against No. 1 rated junior Tom Kelliher of Apple Valley.
Aho was optimistic Kostik's intensity would be able to knock off the No. 1 wrestler.
Kostik held Kelliher to a scoreless first round but things didn't go as planned in the final two periods and Kostik fell 9-2.
From there, Kostik wrestled his final match against Mike Minske of Rochester Mayo and lost.
In his final analysis, Aho is pleased with his performance.
"Though he did not get as far as he would have liked, Erik has nothing to hang his head about. He is a third-year wrestler who became a section champion and a state entrant. That is nearly unheard of in this sport. Most state tournament participants have wrestled most of their young lives, so we are very proud of him," Aho said.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com