ANNOUONCEMENTS


Sunday, July 31, 1994

Hall of Fame Inductee: Wally LaFountain - CONTRIBUTATOR

One of the Old Guard Officials and Coaches that maintained the integrity and good name of wrestling in Maine and across the country.

Started wrestling programs at Bergenfield, New Jersey, High School and at Winslow(ME) High School and assisted other schools in starting their programs through exchanges, clinics, school assemblies, and demonstrations.

Charter member and president of the MIWOA for 16 years.

Served on the National Federation of High Schools Wrestling Rules Committee representing District I 1982-1986 (New England, New York and New Jersey).

Officiated wrestling for 27 years including 17 years as a member of the New England Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association.

Conducted wrestling rules clinic throughout the state.

Served as wrestling officials liaison to the then MSSPA.

Coached wrestling at Winslow 1959 and 1960 and again 1986-1990.

Established the Friendship Series Cultural Exchange Program with the State of Nebraska and directed it for ten years.

Have acted as liaison with the AAU international programs hosting the Soviet National Team, Polish, Austrian and Dutch teams and served as team leader on Maine’s AAU Cultural Exchange to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Inducted into the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1994

Member of MAWA and MAWA Board of Directors

The aforementioned statement barely scratches the surface in trying to extend appreciation to Wallace LaFountain who has dedicated over seven decades to help promote the world's oldest sport.It's through LaFountain' unrenting efforts that has provided a stage for thousands of Maine student-athletes to enjoy competing.
LaFountain regrettably completed his final official act at the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance banquet in July.He had served as the Hall Of Fame chairman for the last six years and became well known for his well polished wit and humor.The countless stories of past events was a history lesson of wrestling in the Pine Tree state.
LaFountain has worn every tag imaginable over time and there was simply no task to big or to small that he wasn't willing to take on and then it would be done correctly.
"Of all the "old timers" who go way back in the sport. Wally has stayed with it as long as I can remember," former coach Jerry Perkins said.

LaFountain, who was inducted into the MAWA HOF in 1994, had initially arrived in Maine after having started a wrestling program at Bergenfield High School in New Jersey.In 1958,he created a program at Winslow H.S. and assisted other schools in starting their programs through exchanges, clinics, school assemblies, and demonstrations.
"I had two year and four year (coaching) stints at Winslow," LaFountain said.

LaFountain had utilized the light in order to correctly call pins, amid the shadows illumined under the mat light.Three years ago, LaFountain was presented with a replacement light andhe graciously accepted it
LaFountain had helped in forming the MIWOA in 1968 so certified official's oversaw every meet.The charter members were, Tank, Keith Lancaster, Al Graceffa and LaFountain who served as its President for the first 16 years.

LaFountain became a well-respected referee and every one knew the matches would be done professionally.He also spent 17 years as a member of the New England Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association.He also served as wrestling officials liaison to the then MSSPA(Maine Principal' Association).
Wally has done so much for the sport from his refereeing," Scarborough coach Ted Reese said.

Always with a smile, Wally still had firm opinions and high standards, you knew where he was coming from."
LaFountain was always on the look out to increase the visibility of wrestling and in the 1970s, together with the late Gary Kent, those exhaustive efforts really paid off.He acted as liaison with the AAU international programs and between 1974-77, Maine hosted the Soviet National Team, Polish, Austrian and Dutch.In '75, he served as team leader on Maine's AAU Cultural Exchange to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.LaFountain was accompanied by coaches Ted Reese and Bill Haskell.

"No one has done more over a longer period of time for Maine wrestling, than Wally," Perkins said.

Wally is symbolic of what is good about high school wrestling in Maine today."
The momentum of the Friendship Series remained on the back burner for several years, however, things changed dramatically in 1984. LaFountain and Mick Pierce of Nebraska both served on the National Federation of High Schools Wrestling Rules Committee.

LaFountain was the Maine team leader of the FS for the first 10 years and together with his wife Audrey were integral parts of the exchange.Unfortunately, Audrey passed away in June.
"Of course Ihange has lasted for 20 years," LaFountainsaid." It's a popular program both here and in Nebraska.It's been a super extension for opportunities for Maine wrestlers.

"Wally was a fine team leader," Reese said.

LaFountain clearly is one of the old guard officials and coaches that maintained the integrity and good name of wrestling in Maine and across the country.

Sunday, May 1, 1994

Hall of Fame Inductee: John Smith - CONTRIBUTOR


Coach and official, Coach Smith was the key link to our historical accounts of Maine wrestling. Coach Smith is known for his detailed accounts of historical moments and has provided a sample of his writing for the MAWA HISTORY of Maine Wrestling. Former MAWA member and retired teacher. Coached several state champs and all-Americans Came to Maine from Long Island. Has coached at Gardiner for 15 years and official for 10 years.  In 1967 Coach Smith started the wrestling program in Gardiner. In those times, the wrestling mat consisted of loose mats tied together with rope and covered with a mat cover made of canvas. In the next year as a full varsity squad, a wrestling mat was purchased. Coach Smith was a very good technician teaching his young wrestlers the latest moves and was forever seeking new and better ways by working on the mats with other coaches  all the while learning. Coach Smith lead the way on many fronts on Maine wrestling and started the oldest wrestling tournament in Maine called the Tiger Tourney. After leaving coaching, Coach Smith returned to the mat and officiated for many years. His highest point was being selected to work the floor as an official in the NCAA D-I National Tournament. Coach Smith is a traditionalist and has maintained the complete history of Maine wrestling and has documented its history. He is a past Secretary of the MAWA Board and serves in an advisory role.

Saturday, February 12, 1994

HIGH SCHOOL: STATE MEET 1994 CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

WeightClassChampion2nd3rd4th
103ANate Phillips
Mt Blue (4:38)
Sear Bo
Sanford
James Cotton
Oxford Hills (0:58)
Mike Tierney
Massabesic
BBruce Stuart
Fryeburg  (1:07)
Jason Desmarais
Oak Hill


CChris Sirois
Penobscot  (3:00)
Josh Lemay
Dirigo
Eben Wilson
Boothbay (5-3 OT)
Chris Reed
Wiscasset
112ADoug Bruce
Noble (10-6)
Drew James
Morse
Dan Johnson
Bonny Eagle (5-2)
Jason St. Clair
Portland
BDan Lavigne
Kennebunk (8-7)
Dusty Hackett
Mtn Valley
Troy Sprague
Belfast

CChris Black
Penobscot  (5:43)
Tony Curtis
Dexter
Brad St. Laurent
Dirigo (1:49)
Andy Lach
Wiscasset
119ARyan Payeur
Sanford (5-2)
Josh Kenney
Bonny Eagle
John Raio
Gardiner (1:32)
Dan Wedgewood
Massabesic
BKeith Parent
Marshwood (7-2)
Matt Beyea
Wells
Cecil Armstrong
Belfast

CCorey Harper
Penobscot  (1:35)
Jamie Cyr
Madawaska
Nate Pandora
Dirigo (3:59)
Steve Allen
Mattanawacook
125ASan Bo
Sanford (11-6)
Matt Wedgewood
Massabesic
Tad Barbour
Noble (8-6)
Chris Cunningham
Morse
BMike Ewer
Foxcroft 
(3:25)
Shane Gerrish
Belfast


CBen Gammell
Dirigo (5:00)
Chris Levesque
Madawaska
Joe Cox
Dexter (12-2)
Gary Balducci
Wiscasset
130ALouie Dubois
Noble (13-2)
Ben Braasch
Deering
Eric Wilson
Oxford Hills 

(Inj def)
Ethan Baker
Mt. Ararat
BHai Nguyen
Kennebunk (2-1)
Justin Hopkins
Camden


CDarren Thibodeau
Penobscot  (13-5)
Greg Smart
Mattanawcook
Jeremy Shepard
Traip  (13-7)
Fred Lewis
Wiscasset
135AChance Farwell
Bonny Eagle (6-4)
Eli Small
Deering
Gary Day
Portland (11-1)
Ryan Henderson
Skowhegan
BJeremy Reynolds
Gorham (3:24)
Jake Rodrique
Winslow
Jason Brickett
Wells (OT)
Brian Harvey
Belfast
CJosh Ryder
Mattanawcook (5:11)
Adam Tash
Penobscot 
Brian McNaught
Limestone (11-10)
Charles Wagstaff
Boothbay
140AClayton Moore
Morse (10-7)
J.R. Wallace
Mt. Ararat
Phuc Tran
Sanford (6-3)
Todd Merrick
Noble
BMatt Curtis
Belfast (9-8)
Keith Paradis
Kennebunk
Toby Mitchell
Camden
Zack Donhauser
Marshwood
CNate Gaudin
Dirigo (19-3)
Travis Dennis
Traip 
Ben Wallace
Dexter (2:50)
Dakin Magoon
Penobscot 
145ABryan Brunk
Bonny Eagle 

(8-3)
Ben Baker
Gardiner
John Black
Mt Blue (7-3)
Marshall Craggy
Westbrook
BRandy Simmons
Medomak (8-4)
James Borkowski
Oak Hill
Brian Wagner
Belfast

CBen Kaler
Boothbay (3:40)
Patrick Taylor
Katahdin
Jerry James
Calais (3:00)
Anthony Seeley
Pen. Valley
152ABill Brochu
Cony (10-2)
Tim Wade
Gardiner
Dan Vallee
Biddeford (13-5)
Mike Clinton
Bonny Eagle
BBrian Borkowski
Oak Hill (4-2)
Brandon Allen
Camden
David Romilly
Wells
Anthony Mazza
Mtn Valley
CKen Mitchell
Penobscot  (4:57)
Linwood Severance
Mattanawcook
Jamie Doucette
Madawaska 

(12-9)
Jason Errington
Dirigo
160ARoger Cain
Mt Blue (3:38)
Chris Cobbett
Oxford Hills
Adam Farrington
Bonny Eagle (2:31)
Ed Cowen
Caribou
BDan Bothwell
Wells (3:06)
Tim Morin
Oak Hill


CDan Severance
Mattanawcook (3:32)
Allen Crocker
Boothbay
Fred Thody
Dexter (16-0)
Joshua Cookson
Traip 
171ARoss Sirois
Skowhegan (5-3)
Tim Dolan
Mt. Ararat
Jamie Stilphin
Portland (Inj Def)
Aaron Hussey
Cony
BChris Marquis
Wells (15-3)
Ben Duhaime
Ellsworth
Marc Box
Belfast

CDarren Heath
Boothbay (20-2)
Bruce Young
Wiscasset
Wes Dube
Penobscot  (2:07)
Jason Sullivan
Madawaska
189AJared Craggy
Westbrook (7-3)
Jason Mills
Cony
Kirk Sirois
Skowhegan (6-3)
Cimeron Colby
Oxford Hills
BJohn Short
Marshwood
Scot Padelford
Medomak 
Matt Varney
Belfast

CDan Paige
Dexter (2:53)
Derek Van Brunt
Wiscasset
Chip Priest
Penobscot  (1:39)
Corey Davies
Boothbay
275ALucas Porter
Portland (7-3)
Jeff Lude
Biddeford
Matt Clark
Skowhegan (8-3)
Jon Gallant
Massabesic
BBill Fulton
Kennebunk (6-5)
Ken Adams
Lisbon


CAaron Gilman
Penobscot (1:02)
Tanek Hood
Katahdin
Brent Cunningham
Dexter (1:28)
Nate Eaton
Boothbay

Team Results
ClassABC
ChampionBonny EagleBelfastPenobscot 
2ndSanfordKennebunkBoothbay