Many of Maine's state champions will hit the mats to take on the visiting Nebraskans.
By Paul Betit pbetit@pressherald.com
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
A group of 15 high school boys from Nebraska will begin a whirlwind wrestling tour of Maine tonight at Winslow High School.
THE SCHEDULE
Maine-Nebraska Friendship Series
TODAY: 6 p.m., at Winslow High School
THURSDAY: 5:30 p.m., at Farmington Community Center, Farmington
SATURDAY: 5 p.m., at Morse High School, Bath
MONDAY: 5 p.m., at Marshwood High School, South Berwick
During their seven-day stay, the squad, made up of wrestlers from 10 Nebraska high schools, will compete against four different Maine squads in wrestling meets at Winslow, Farmington, Bath and South Berwick in the 27th annual Maine-Nebraska Friendship Series.
"They're not full of state champions on (the Nebraska) team, but they've got a lot of wrestlers who were second- and third-place finishers," Mt. Blue Coach Bob O'Connor said. "They're from Nebraska. They're tough kids."
Two years ago, the last time a squad from Nebraska visited Maine, host teams won three of four wrestling meets. Last year, a contingent of 18 Maine high school wrestlers went 2-2-1 during a trip to Nebraska.
At tonight's meet at Winslow High School, the Maine contingent will include Mountain Valley's Ryan Burgess, Class B state champion at 112 pounds; Belfast's Jordon Young, the Class B state champion at 119; Foxcroft Academy's Mark Smith, the Class C state champion at 125; Belfast's Brent Waterman, the Class B state champion at 125; Camden Hills' Tom Cassidy, Class B state champion at 130; Brunswick's Jared Jensen, Class A state champion at 130; Mountain Valley's Josh Thornton, the Class B state champion at 145; Foxcroft Academy's Wesley Stinson at 152; and Chris Powell, Class C champion at 189.
Burgess, a three-time state champion, will wrestle again Thursday at Farmington. That Maine group also will include Dirigo's D.J. Webber, the Class C champion at 160; and Mountain Valley's Christian Durland, the Class B state champion at 215.
At Saturday's meet in Bath, the Maine team will include Lisbon's Mike McNamara, Class C state champion at 135; Gardiner's Dan DelGallo, Class B state champion at 135; Lisbon's Matt Nicholson, Class C state champion at 140; and Camden Hills' Jacob Powers, two-time Class B state champion at 160.
At Monday's meet in South Berwick, the Maine squad will include Massabesic's Tyler Everett, Class A state champion at 103; Marshwood's Tyler Davidson, Class A state champion at 112; Marshwood's Jake Rasque, Class A state champion at 119; and Massabesic's Ethan Gilman, Class A state champion at 125.
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com
Twitter: PaulBetitPPH