There was a lot on the line, however, not every thing turns out right and the wrestling team from Mountain Valley experienced it first hand at the Class B state championships. The Falcons scored 113 points, but couldn't regain enough for Camden Hills 124 which won for the third-straight year. Ellsworth 100, Foxcroft Academy 88.5 and York 79 rounded out the top five. Mountain Valley qualified all eight of its wrestlers for the state meet and had six medalists, including champions Ethan Boucher (120-pounds) and Jake Thornton (47-5 at 126). Caleb Austin (46-3 at 113), Brandon Gill (132) and Dakota Jacques (145) were finalists, with Zach Cross third at 182. Eddie DeRoche (138) and Anthony Boucher 195 each won one match, but didn't place.
Coach Chris Bean informed team he is stepping down, after two seasons. The Falcons had led Camden 94 to 59.5 entering the consolation semi-finals, but the Windjammers had five wrestlers place third, while Cross was the lone MV to advance.
MV still only trailed by 14 entering the finals and earned four points each by Ethan Boucher and Thornton. Boucher, who had beat James Archer of Camden 5-3 in SF, finished strong by decisioning Isaac Desroches of Wells 4-0. The Falcon freshman had beat the Warrior wrestler 4-3 in regional final. Thornton (48-5) won a 10-3 decision against Dylan Dahlbergh of Maine Central Institute, in final. Thornton, who had pinned two opponents, joins older brother Josh who was a two-time state champion.
Gill, who had pinned John Underhill of Camden (third) in SF, was unable to move on Dagan Berenyi of Ellsworth who won 12-4 in final. Gill, who placed fourth two years in a row, had lost to Berenyi in medal round, last year. Jacques had won 3-2 in SF, but lost 6-4 to Josh Smith of York, in final.
As expected that several wrestled who faced off in their respective regional, will meet in the state meet, again.
One big rematch, Austin lost 7-0 to Peter DelGallo of Gardiner Austin, a freshman, had lost regional final to Del Gallo, the state and New England champion.
Cross had lost a tough overtime match in SF, but then stuck Brandon Brock of Foxcroft in con-finals.
Oak Hill freshman champion Danny Buteau (37-4) won a state crown at 106.
Fryeburg led by champion Trevor Henschel 182.