By Bob PcPhee, Sun Journal
There has been plenty of preparation and now the biggest determining factor will be on mat as Maine wrestlers compete in the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship.
There has been plenty of preparation and now the biggest determining factor will be on mat as Maine wrestlers compete in the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship.
Seniors Jake Thornton of Mountain Valley and Jesse Hutchinson of Dirigo each held their own and qualified to participate on the big stage for their first and only time.
The 50th annual New England championship will be held March 7 and 8 at the Providence Career and Technical Academy, Providence, Rhode Island. The top three in each weight class will represent the state at the two-day NE event, this weekend.
Thornton won a Class B state championship and Hutchinson is a Class C state champion.
The Falcon wrestler trained at the River Valley Recreation Center with Eric Austin is confident his work has gotten him this far so he is sticking with what works.
"I'm not sure how I'll do,''Thornton said, who has gone to watch older brother Josh (2x state champion) and other Mountain Valley wrestlers, so he knows the competition is tough and it is a very hard road to the top. ''I hope to do well, but will wrestle (my) heart out and have fun with the rest of the whole experience.''
Hutchinson (160) road was racked with adversity- state finalist last year and sidelined with shoulder injury during this season- so the Cougar standout is eager to test his skills.
''Jesse stayed busy,''Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said, of Jesse who has been to a couple of New England as a spectator. ''He is just looking to win a couple of matches.''
Hutchinson was taken to school by three-time Class A state champion Cody Hughes of Marshwood (third place at NE in 2013), at a state qualifying tournament, last month.
Since 1999, when the state of Maine had automatically sent its state champions to NE. This year the Maine Principal Association finally relented and held. This was done in an effort to enhance the level of competitive Maine wrestlers who compete at NE.
The competition at New England is extremely intense and mental mistakes can prove costly.
Stewart Buzzell (145) of Monmouth, who won two matches at NE last year, will be returning to NE, while Malik Geiger of Oxford Hills won the qualifier at 170 and Wil Gunter of Mount Blue will each be making their initial trip to the Oceanside state. Other Maine medalists include reining NE champion Peter DelGallo (120), was 113 of Gardiner; Colin Sevigney (138), fourth at 126 of Wells and Tyler Craig (120), fifth 113 of Skowhegan.Skowhegan and Marshwood qualified the most with six each, including three champions. Freshmen Cody Craig (106) of Skowhegan and Brad Beaulieu (113) of Marshwood. Aaron Lint of Winslow is returning a third time at 285.
Stewart Buzzell (145) of Monmouth, who won two matches at NE last year, will be returning to NE, while Malik Geiger of Oxford Hills won the qualifier at 170 and Wil Gunter of Mount Blue will each be making their initial trip to the Oceanside state. Other Maine medalists include reining NE champion Peter DelGallo (120), was 113 of Gardiner; Colin Sevigney (138), fourth at 126 of Wells and Tyler Craig (120), fifth 113 of Skowhegan.Skowhegan and Marshwood qualified the most with six each, including three champions. Freshmen Cody Craig (106) of Skowhegan and Brad Beaulieu (113) of Marshwood. Aaron Lint of Winslow is returning a third time at 285.