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North Branch 41

Rush City 21

Take away the two forfeits at the end of the meet and things were awfully close between North Branch and Rush City last Tuesday. Still, the Vikings had their hands full with the Tigers, winning 41-21.

The Vikings began the match on fire, winning three of the first four matches, two by fall, coasting out to a huge lead. However, Rush City bit back, winning back-to-back matches at 130 and 135 pounds. The win at 135 pounds tied the score 15-15.

Then, at 140 pounds, Ryan Decorsey kicked off another winning streak with a decision win, the first of three straight North Branch victories. Although Rush City pulled within five at one point, the Vikings never gave the lead back, taking the match 41-21. Cory Crowell, Matt Newham, Josh Schwab, Decorsey, Cody Gallmeier, Joe Lofboom, Zack Backus, Jeremy Bergerson, and Jarrod Swanson picked up wins for the Vikings.

“We knew that it was going to be a tough dual,” mentioned Tony Aho, North Branch head wrestling coach. “Rush City has a good group of kids and a class coaching staff, and even with their two forfeits, they put a good team out there on the mat. The guys were ready and came out very aggressive.”

North Branch 41

Rush City 21

103- Crowell won by fall

112- Newham won by fall

119- B. Suparat lost by fall

125- Schwab won by dec.

130- Arnt lost by fall

135- Zaffke lost by dec.

140- Decorsey won by dec.

145- Gallmeier won by maj. dec.

152- Lofboom won by dec.

160- Pinna lost by dec.

171- Suparat lost by dec.

189- Backus won by dec.

215- Bergerson won by forfeit

HWT- Swanson won by forfeit

STMA 64

North Branch 6

Last Thursday, the mat wasn’t as kind to the Vikings and neither were their opponents. On the road facing St. Michael-Albertville, the Knights won every match but two, cruising to a 64-6 win. North Branch managed two wins, both coming from Jeremy Bergerson and Jarrod Swanson

“St. Michael is great,” mentioned Aho. “Though we weren’t even close, I thought the guys worked hard and didn’t give anything away. Joe Lofboom wrestled well in a loss and Jeremy (Bergerson) and Jarrod (Swanson) looked sharp in our only two wins.”

STMA 64

North Branch 6

103- Crowell lost by fall

112- B. Suparat lost by fall

119- Schwab lost by fall

125- Arnt lost by fall

130- STMA won by forfeit

135- Zaffke lost by fall

140- Decorsey lost by dec.

145- Gallmeier lost by fall

152- Lofboom lost by dec. (OT)

160- S. Suparat lost by dec.

171- Backus lost by fall

189- Haley lost by fall

215- Bergerson won by dec.

HWT- Swanson won by dec.

North Branch 36

Elk River 24

With one win and one loss under their belt, the Vikings finished the week with two more matches, winning one and losing the other.

Versus Elk River, North Branch scored a key comeback win, 36-24. Leading the way were Matt Newham, Greg Arnt, Ryan Decorsey, Cody Gallmeier, Joe Lofboom, Cory Haley, Jeremy Bergerson, and Jarrod Swanson. All eight wrestlers finished the match with wins.

“That was a huge win for the team,” replied Aho. “All of the guys contributed with the strongest effort we’ve seen all year. Greg Arnt, Ryan Decorsey, and Cory Haley proved what happens when you wrestle hard the whole match, and Jeremy Bergerson looked intense as he came from behind against a good opponent, gaining a hard earned victory. He has been working hard in practice and should have a chance to advance in the section tournament. Jarrod Swanson also had another nice match as he shows more improvement each time out.”

North Branch 36

Elk River 24

103- Crowell lost by fall

112- Newham won by forfeit

119- B. Suparat lost by dec.

125- Schwab lost by dec.

130- Arnt won by dec.

135- Zaffke lost by dec.

140- Decorsey won by fall

145- Gallmeier won by dec.

152- Lofboom won by dec.

160- S. Suparat lost by dec.

171- Backus lost by dec.

189- Haley won by fall

215- Bergerson won by dec.

HWT- Swanson won by dec.

Watertown-Mayer 52

North Branch 19

As excited as the Vikings were about their win over Elk River, they felt the other end of the spectrum in their next match, falling to Watertown-Mayer 52-19. Once again, the Vikings heavyweights performed well as Sam Suparat, Haley, Bergerson, and Swanson finished the match with wins. However, the rest of the roster was shutout.

“Elk River had defeated Watertown in the first round so we felt we had a chance to win that match,” remembered Aho. “But, we were unable to sustain the intensity and execution that we had in the previous match. There were plenty of opportunities to steal wins, but I think the boys were just spent by that time. The more times they get out there and give it their best, the easier it’s going to be to sustain that effort. They have proven they are willing to do just that.”

The Vikings now look ahead to a long break, getting set for sections on February 20.

Watertown-Mayer 52

North Branch 19

103- Crowell lost by fall

112- B. Suparat lost by dec.

119- Schwab lost by dec.

125- Arnt lost by fall

130- WM won by forfeit

135- Zaffke lost by fall

140- Decorsey lost by dec.

145- Gallmeier lost by fall

152- Lofboom lost by fall

160- S. Suparat won by maj. dec.

171- Backus lost by dec.

189- Haley won by forfeit

215- Bergerson won by fall

HWT- Swanson won by dec.

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