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The North Branch Viking wrestling team beat conference opponent Fridley 47-27 Tuesday, Jan. 5, then took third place out of nine teams in the Tartan invitational Thursday, Jan. 7.

“This was a good week for our team,” said Viking head coach Tony Aho. “ The guys have been working very hard and are starting to see progress. Jon Buck and David Kowarsch are sophomores who have not won a lot of matches, but are starting to show signs that they will do so soon. They work very hard in practice and have a great desire to learn. Greg Arnt and John Wickoren are practice partners who have also showed great improvement. John followed his win at Fridley with a third-place finish at Tartan while Greg won his first championship on Saturday.”

The Vikings’ only meet this meet is a triangular with Chisago Lakes and Zimmerman tonight (Thursday, Jan. 12) at Chisago Lakes at 5:00 p.m.

North Branch 47, Fridley 27

103- Tom Mork W-for

112- Erik Kostik W-fall

119- Chad Anderson L-dec

125- Boyd Suparat W-fall

130- Chris Newham L-fall

135- Matt Newham W-fall

140- Jon Buck L-dec

145- David Kowarsch L-fall

152- Cole Wilcoxen W-for

160- Ryan Decorsey W-Tech fall

171- John Wickoren W-fall

189- Adam Gades W-for

215- Duane Durant L-dec

Hwt- Dan Kowarsch L-fall

Tartan Invitational

Team Scores

1. Tartan 173

2. Rosemount 171

3. North Branch 164

4. Amery, Wi 145

5. Chaska 131

6. St. Paul Highland Park 120

7. Andover 97

8. Roseville 86.5

9. Winona 48.5

Individual Results

103- Tom Mork DNP

112- Erik Kostik 4th

119- Chad Anderson 6th

125- Boyd Suparat 3rd

130- Chris Newham 5th

135- Matt Newham 3rd

140- Jon Buck 4th

145- David Kowarsch 5th

152- Ryan Decorsey 2nd

160- Greg Arnt Champion

171- Adam Gades 2nd

189- John Wickoren 3rd

215- Duane Durant 2nd

Hwt- Tom Westphal DNP

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