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North Branch 45

Braham 21

Last week, North Branch head wrestling coach Tony Aho didn’t just want to win, he wanted his Vikings to dominate. Facing off with Braham and Zimmerman, their last two meets of the regular season, Aho was hoping to set a winning streak in motion heading into sections this Friday.

Last Tuesday versus Braham, one piece of the puzzle fell into place as North Branch bombed the Braham Bombers 45-21.

After falling behind 18-3, the Vikings were almost perfect from 130 pounds on. Chris Newham got things rolling with a pin at 130 pounds, followed by two more wins at 135 and 140 pounds, pushing the Vikings in front 21-18.

Braham fought back to tie with a decision win at 145 pounds, but it was all North Branch after that. The Vikings won the final six matches, including two by forfeit, propelling them to a 45-21 win.

“Braham always seems to have tough athletes, and even though they were young, they were scrappy,” said Aho. “Cory Crowell got us off to a great start with a hard-fought overtime win at 112. Chris Newham also gutted out a tough match at 130, while Vince Zaffke got an aggressive pin at 140. Cody Gallmeier, Cory Haley, Zack Backus, and Billy Oehlers all earned solid decisions.”

North Branch 45

Braham 21

103- Kostik lost by fall

112- Crowell won by dec.

119- B. Suparat lost by fall

125- Dunn lost by fall

130- Newham won by fall

135- Holmgren won by forfeit

140- Zaffke won by fall

145- Decorsey lost by dec.

152- Lofboom won by forfeit

160- Gallmeier won by dec.

171- Haley won by dec.

189- Backus won by dec.

215- Bergerson won by forfeit

HWT- Oehlers won by dec.

North Branch 49

Zimmerman 13

Last Thursday, the Vikings made it two for two with a convincing 49-13 win over Zimmerman. The win pushed the Vikings team winning streak to three heading into the team section tournament this Friday and Saturday.

Overall, North Branch lost just three matches. The Vikings opened up the match by winning the first four matches, opening up a 19-0 lead. Moments later, after Zimmerman pulled within 13 at 20-7, the Vikings rattled off four straight wins, including two by fall. Then with the match well in hand late, Backus, Bergerson, and Oehlers took it from there, each grabbing decision wins, pushing the score to 49-13.

“Zimmerman is a new program but they have several wrestlers from Elk River that have a lot of experience,” remarked Aho. “Jeff Holmgren and Cory Haley wrestled two of their state entrants and battled them hard but came up short. Erik Kostik, Cory Crowell, Boyd Suparat, and AJ Dunn were very aggressive and earned great wins for the team.”

The win over the Thunder marked the end of the regular season for the Vikings, putting their final season record at 14-11. North Branch, the number eight seed, will face Chisago Lakes in the first round of the team sectionals on Friday night. The winner advances to face top-seeded St. Francis.

North Branch 49

Zimmerman 13

103- Kostik won by dec.

112- Crowell won by fall

119- B. Suparat won by tech fall

125- Dunn won by fall

130- Newham lost by maj. dec.

135- Holmgren lost by dec.

140- Zaffke won by dec.

145- Decorsey won by fall

152- Lofboom won by tech fall

160- Gallmeier won by fall

171- Haley lost by fall

189- Backus won by dec.

215- Bergerson won by dec.

HWT- Oehlers won by major dec.

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