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After last years state wrestling tournament, North Branch head wrestling coach, Tony Aho, predicted that Jeremy Bergerson would be back. He was right.

Bergerson finished second at 215 pounds during last weekend’s section 7AAA individual wrestling tournament, giving him his second consecutive berth to the big show. Bergerson was the only North Branch wrestler to qualify for this weekend’s state tourney.

“This is Jeremy’s second straight trip to the state tournament and we think he can go down there and do really well,” commented Aho. “He’s been putting in extra time after practice with former North Branch wrestler Shannon Logue, which has helped him become a solid wrestler. There was a lot of pressure on Jeremy to get to state, and now that he has qualified, he can go out and have some fun. I think if he does that, he will get a medal down there.”

Bergerson will face St. Cloud Tech’s Jordan Stracke in the first round of the state tournament on Thursday afternoon. Stracke is 31-8 on the season.

Elsewhere, Sam Suparat placed fifth at sections while Josh Schwab, Joe Lofboom, Zach Backus, and Cory Haley took sixth. The only senior on the team, Jarrod Swanson failed to place, meaning everyone will be back again next season to give it another go .

Section 7AAA Individual Wrestling Meet:

North Branch Results -

(wrestlers who placed)

119- Josh Schwab 6th

152- Joe Lofboom 6th

160- Sam Suparat 5th

171- Zach Backus 6th

189- Cory Haley 6th

215- Jeremy Bergerson 2nd*

*qualified for state tournament

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