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Wildcat senior Mitch Anderson (125) wrestled well at last week's MSHSL AAA State Wrestling Tournament. He lost a tough first round match to Brian Theroux of White Bear Lake 4-0 Thursday, March 1 at the Xcel Energy Center.

Theroux took Anderson down in the first period for a 2-0 lead. Theroux went up 4-0 with a reversal in the second period, and then rode Anderson for the rest of the match for the win.

Anderson had a tough draw in the first round. Even though Theroux lost his next match, Theroux came back to finish fifth out of the 16 wrestlers at 125 pounds AAA wrestlers at the state tournament.

"Making it to the state tournament is the goal in our sport," said Wildcat head coach Shawn Frederixon. "So while we would have loved for Mitch to have a better result, he did get a chance to wrestle at the state tournament against a very good wrestler. Going to the state tourney is the way you want to finish your career. And it's great for our program that he made it."

Frederixon then talked a little bit about some section changes for next year. "We're being moved to AA, Section 7 next year," he said. "We'll be facing some new teams, and we'll be in a section where we'll have more of a chance to succeed. Our guys are excited about their prospects for next year."

By MATT SILVER

Viking junior Erik Kostik made his first of hopefully many trips to the MSHSL 2007 AAA State Wrestling tournament Thursday, March 1 at the Xcel Energy Center.

Kostik (30-9), who wrestles at 119 pounds was matched up against Brainerd-Pillager's Scott Padrnos (30-11) in his first match. Kostik wasted little time feeling his opponent out and attacked immediately.

After two very quick take downs, Kostik had Padrnos on his back fighting for his life. Kostik had Padrnos almost pinned 25 seconds into the match, but Kostik let Padrnos wiggle out of a pin. Not to be denied, Kostik again reversed his body on Padrnos and there was little he could do. Kostik had pinned Padrnos with time to spare in the first period.

In Kostik's next match he had the unfortune of drawing one of the State's elite wrestlers in Apple Valley's Tom Kelliher. Kelliher amassed an impressive 42-4 record this year and had just come off a 4-0 victory over number one seed Mike Minske of Rochester Mayo.

Because of inclement weather this reporter was forced to leave the Xcel Energy Center early, but we can tell you that Kostik went the distance with Kelliher. The final sore in the match was 9-2 in favor of Kelliher.

Kelliher made it all the way to the championship match where he lost to Derek Schreiner of Wayzata.

Kostik drew Mike Minske of Rochester Mayo in wrestle backs where he was defeated 17-4.

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