NEWS AND NOTES:
A Message from Coach Sample
Nobody on the 2008-09 Viking Wrestling Team was a part of our first season four years ago. I have been with the program since the beginning and I remember it like it was yesterday. We lost all 10 of our duals that first year, lost 75-6 in our worst dual loss ever, placed near the bottom of every tournament, and had no state qualifiers. I wasn't accustomed to losing at the time, and Coach Elliott had to spend quite a bit of time convincing me to sign up for a second year with the program. Sure, the cookies in the hospitality rooms at tournaments were pretty good. But we were spending far too much time in hospitality rooms and not enough time coaching kids to tournament championships. I can assure you now that sticking around for the past three years has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever been a part of. Our second season included our first dual win, first tournament trophy, and first state qualifier. In Year Three, we had our first winning dual season with a record of 13-3, won three tournament titles, had 2 state qualifiers, and one state finalist. Last year, we were 14-2 in duals, tied for the league championship, won three more tournament titles, had 3 state qualifiers, and 2 state placers.
We were dealt our first major setback earlier this year when Coach Elliott resigned. Its hard to imagine our team without him on it. But he has promised to make a guest appearance for a few extra sprints at the end of practice if we don't keep up the tradition we have built so far. I look forward to taking over where he left off. And I hope you look forward to making Coach Elliott and the entire community proud.
Mike Sample Head Wrestling Coach 
