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Totino Grace 43, NB 25

The Viking boys wrestling team put up a good fight against eighth-ranked Totino Grace, but the Eagles poured it on in the last half of the match to beat the Vikings 43-25 Thursday, January 10 at North Branch.

Reid Johnson (103) pinned his opponent and Jake Kostik (112) squeaked out a 7-5 victory to give the Vikings an early 9-0 lead. After a pin by Totino Grace, successive decisions in favor of Jimmy Juntunen (125) and Tom Mork (130) put the Vikings up by nine again. After another Totino Grace pin, Boyd Suparat (140) won a major decision to make the score 19-12 Vikings. But Totino Grace put the match away with three pins, a forfeit, a major decision and a decision in the next six matches. Viking John Morrison pinned his opponent in the heavyweight match to make the final score Totino Grace 43, North Branch 25.

"Totino-Grace is one of the favorites to win the North Suburban conference," said Viking head coach Tony Aho, "so we knew this one would be tough. It started well, as we won five of the first seven matches, but we just didn't have enough to hold on to the lead. Reid Johnson had a very nice pin to get us going at 103. He is a very dedicated young wrestler and is starting to show the potential we know he has. Jake Kostik continues to display the skill that took him to the state tournament last season. Patrick Mork came within thirty seconds of defeating the sixth-ranked wrestler at 119 pounds. Patrick took the lead late in the match but was unable to hold on for the win."

Individual Results

103- Reid Johnson won by fall

112- Jake Kostik won 7-5

119- Patrick Mork lost by fall

125- Jimmy Juntunen won 10-3

130- Tom Mork won 4-0

135- Joe Blom lost by fall

140- Boyd Suparat won 10-1

145- Joe Call lost by fall

152- Stuart Frink lost 4-13

160- Forfeit

171- Chad Anderson lost by fall

189- Erik Chouinard lost by fall

215- Justin Bergerson lost 5-1

HWT- John Morrison won by fall

Tartan Tournament - Fifth Place

Boyd Suparat (135) and John Morrison (HWT) emerged as individual champions at the Tartan Tournament Saturday, January 10. The Vikings earned enough points to finish fifth as a team. "As you can see, the tournament was very close," said Viking head coach Tony Aho. "With only 12 points separating second and fifth place. we started off slowly but began to warm up through the middle rounds to battle our way back into it. However, the placing round is where we stumbled again, losing matches in which we were leading late. Individually, Boyd and John were pretty dominant in winning championships. They continue to put in extra time to get better and it shows.

Jimmy Juntunen and Stuart Frink showed steady improvement throughout the day and we were very happy with the way they wrestled. Nick Salo returned to the line-up and wrestled pretty well to take third."

Team Results

1- Rosemount 189.5

2- Andover 156

3- Roseville 155.5

4- Chaska 151.5

5- North Branch 144.5

6- Tartan 134

7- Farmington 119.5

8- Irondale 75.5

9- Unattached 15

Individual Results

103- Reid Johnson 5th

112- Jake Kostik 3rd

119- Patrick Mork 5th

125- Jimmy Juntunen 4th

130- Tom Mork 4th

135- Boyd Suparat Champion

140- Joe Blom 6th

145- Stuart Frink 4th

145 Joe Call 6th

152- Andy Freel 6th

160- Nick Salo 3rd

171- Chad Anderson 3rd

171 Evan Silver DNP

189- Erik Chouinard 5th

215- Justin Bergerson 3rd

HWT- John Morrison Champion

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