Bob McPhee Staff Writer
Dirigo wrestler Jon Smith reached the final in the 145-pound division at the New England wrestling championships in Lowell, Mass., on Saturday. The dream of a championship came up short, but Smith and his fellow Maine wrestlers proved they belonged on the upper stage.
After rolling into the finals with three easy victories, Smith dropped a 6-3 decision to Derek Fish of Connecticut.
Two Maine wrestlers won New England titles, while Smith and two others earned silver medals. Nine Maine athletes advanced to the semifinals. The five finalists and 12 medalists are the most since Maine returned to the New England championships in 1999.
Smith's quest began with a pair of victories Friday night. In his first match, Smith recorded a 17-5 major decision over Zak Randall of Vermont, before pinning Connecticut's T.J. Magnoli in 2 minutes, 37 seconds.
"Jon's performance was outstanding," Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. "He completely dominated his first three opponents. In the first match, those seven takedowns really helped show how (aggressive) he was on the mat."
The Cougars' three-time state champion again went on the offensive Saturday and utilized leg moves in the semifinals for a 19-3 technical fall against New Hampshire state champion Jarad Smith of Timberlane.
"After the semifinals, I was feeling very confident knowing that the Timberlane kid was a very good wrestler," Smith said. "I went back to the hotel after and relaxed after a good meal. I tried not to think about the match very much, because that was just going to make me more nervous. Of course, it was hard not to think about being in the New England finals."
Smith encountered a different style in the finals and was unable to gain control, eventually losing a 6-3 decision to Fish.
After a scoreless first period, Fish chose neutral and executed the first takedown going out of bounds, and Smith quickly escaped off the whistle. With five seconds left Smith tried a head-and-arm move, but it slipped, allowing Fish a takedown to end the period at 4-1. The Cougar senior (46-1) finished his career with a school-record 153 wins.
"Jon was never able to get into his game," Gilbert said. "He wasn't able to get in on the legs because (Fish) wrestled defensively. It forced Jon to try and push the issue, and he ended up making mistakes that he hadn't made all season long."
Carlin Dubay of Caribou captured the 103-pound championship and Kote Aldus of Belfast took top honors at 160 pounds. Josh Eon (171) of Massabesic and Nate Lavallee (285) of Cape Elizabeth also were finalists. Eon lost a heartbreaking 5-4 decision.
Sam Webber of Mt. Blue won his first-round match, but then lost twice. It was disappointing ending for Webber, who had placed fifth in last year's New England meet.
Forrest Cornell (103) of Lisbon won his first two matches, including pinning Massachusetts champion Nick Flannery in 1:13. Cornell lost his next two matches and failed to place. Teammate Marcus Bubar won his opening match, 4-2, before being eliminated after dropping 15-8 and 8-6 decisions.
Derek Daley of Dirigo was outmuscled 10-1 in his only match.
Other Maine medalists included third place by Jacob Berry (145) of Camden Hills and Travis Spencer (189) of Belfast; fourth by Chris Smith (119) of Deering and Joe Eon (140) of Massabesic; fifth by Matt DelGallo (112) of Gardiner; and sixth by Cinjin Goeway (135) of Maine Central Institute and Raistlin Delisle (215) of Kennebunk.
Timberlane, N.H., scored 73 points to win the team crown for the second time in three years. Mount Anthony, Vt., was second at 64½, while Belfast nipped host Lowell for third, 48½-48. Belfast recorded the best finish by a Maine team since Rumford was fourth in 1977.
Trevor Deardon of Salem, N.H., and Robert Hamlin of Mount Mansfield, Vt., both won their third New England title. Both Deardon, named outstanding wrestler, and Hamlin were immediately inducted into the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame for their accomplishment.
