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(Here, in his own words, coach Aho talks about team success, individual state tournament entrants and his senior class. Individual awards are listed below.)

This year's version of Viking wrestling was very successful. The boys were 8-0 in the North Suburban conference, taking home the title. Overall, their record was 19-6. They placed third in the Big Lake Tourney, first in the Tartan tourney, and fifth in the Cambridge tourney. The team also earned a Gold Academic Achievement award as they earned a cumulative 3.5 grade point average. That award was only given to nine other teams in class AA around the state.

Three Viking wrestlers made it to the state tournament this season. Jake Kostik (103) wrestled very well in the section wrestle-backs to earn his first trip to the big show. At state, he lost a close match to Cody Paulsen from Totino-Grace and was eliminated when Paulsen lost in the second round. Greg Arnt had a fine season at 171, winning the section title and wrestling his way to a sixth place finish at state. Just being able to medal there is an awesome accomplishment. Boyd Suparat earned the first state title in North Branch wrestling history, as he worked his way to the 130 pound championship. Boyd is an excellent example of how a school and wrestling program should be represented. He is a class act on the mat and out in the community, and his work ethic rubs off on others.

Unfortunately, we will lose three very solid individuals to graduation. Erik Kostik is a former state entrant and a great "pinner" for this team. We will really have to work hard to try to replace his point-scoring ability. Matt Newham is a quality young man with great leadership and wrestling skills and we will miss his presence also. Finally, our mainstay at 171 pounds is leaving us to wrestle in college. Greg Arnt has been part of the program since elementary school and will be impossible to replace. We will miss those guys greatly but wish them well for the future.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

State Tournament Entrants

Jake Kostik (103) Did not place

Boyd Suparat (130) Champion

Greg Arnt (171) 6th place

All-Conference

Jake Kostik

Erik Kostik

Boyd Suparat

Matt Newham

Greg Arnt

Justin Bergerson

John Morrison

All-Conference

Honorable Mention

Chad Anderson

Tom Mork

Section Placewinners

Jake Kostik - 2nd

Tom Mork - 5th

Erik Kostik - 3rd

Boyd Suparat - 1st

Matt Newham - 3rd

Greg Arnt - 1st

John Morrison - 3rd

Letterwinners

Jake Kostik

Jake Kalkbrenner

Sean Mukunza

Tom Mork

Erik Kostik

Boyd Suparat

Matt Lutgen

Daub Bartylla

Joe Blom

Matt Newham

Luke Levasseur

Chad Anderson

Zach Frink

Greg Arnt

Justin Bergerson

John Morrison

Mike Johnson

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