By Paul Betit pbetit@pressherald.com
Staff Writer
Camden Hills made the strongest showing by a Maine team in last weekend's Redskin Invitational in Sanford.
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Rhett Chase
Wrestler of the Week: Rhett Chase, Camden Hills senior: Chase scored a 4-1 decision over Steve Jacobs of Tyngsboro, Mass., in the final of the 220-pound class at the Redskin Invitational in Sanford. During the tournament, Chase also defeated Eddie Garcia of Danbury, Conn., and Cam Williamson of Cumberland, R.I., to run his record to 24-0.
Honorable Mention
Jake Thurston, Fryeburg Academy junior: Thurston pinned Jesse Hutchinson of Dirigo in 47 seconds in the final of the 145-pound class at the Nokomis Warrior Clash at Newport.
Ian Whitis, Cheverus junior: Whitis eked out an 8-6 win in overtime over Colin Sevigney of Wells to win the 120-pound division at the Nokomis Warrior Clash at Newport.
Nick Ricker, Marshwood senior: Ricker ran his record to 19-0 by scoring a 6-2 decision against Jordan Eastman from Timberlane in Plastow N.H., in the final of the 285-pound division at the Redskin Invitational in Sanford.
The Windjammers finished third in the 20-team meet behind defending New England champion Timberlane of Plastow, N.H., and Connecticut powerhouse Danbury.
"I think we wrestled pretty good, actually," Camden Hills Coach Levi Rollins said. "I was very surprised we were right there with Timberlane and Danbury and Cumberland (R.I.)."
Only six Maine wrestlers competed in a championship final at the Invitational, and three were from Camden Hills.
"It shows we're a pretty tough team," Rollins said.
Despite losing four of the six wrestlers that finished in the top five in their weight class at last March's New Englands, Timberlane appears ready to defend the regional title.
"Last year's Timberlane team had a lot of seniors, and there were a lot of good wrestlers behind them," Marshwood Coach Matt Rix said. "When you have good wrestlers like that in front of you, you just get better."
Last Saturday, nine wrestlers from Timberlane advanced to their weight-class finals at the Sanford tournament, and six claimed championships.
SKOWHEGAN LOOKS like it has enough talent and depth to make a good showing next month at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship meet, as well as the Class A regional and state tournaments.
The Indians finished a close second to Class C power Dirigo in the Clash, but six of their wrestlers reached the championship round.
"We had six guys get to the finals last Saturday, and I think those same wrestlers can do that in any big tournament," said Brooks Thompson, who shares head coaching duties with Tenny Noyes.
Skowhegan's winning wrestlers at the Newport meet included unbeaten freshman Kaleb Brown at 138, Carter Stevens at 152, Christian Jackson at 160, Andrew Pineo at 195 and Zach Witham at 220.
The Indians have cracked the top five at the state meet a couple of times in the past decade, but no Eastern Maine team has won a Class A state title since Oxford Hills in 1989.
KENNEBUNK WILL host the annual Bob Walker Duals Saturday.
In addition to the host Rams, the 12-team field will include Biddeford, Deering, Dexter, Dirigo, Lisbon, Marshwood, Mountain Valley, Noble, Wells, Westbrook and York.
Marshwood also will send a squad to compete in a tournament at Mount Saint Anthony in Bennington, Vt.
THE GOING gets a little bit easier for those wrestlers who are still trying to cut weight.
Today, all wrestlers are granted a 1-pound growth allowance.
Coupled with the 1-pound allowance they received last month, it means wrestlers can now weigh 2 pounds more than the maximum for their weight class.
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com
Twitter: PaulBetit