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SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — The last time Cody Hughes lost a high school match it was at last year’s New England championship to Andrew LaBrie of Exeter/West Greenwich, R.I., the eventual champ at 152 pounds.
Hughes, the Marshwood High School junior, is 49-0 this year and could see LaBrie again in this year’s New Englands, which will unfold today and Saturday in Providence, R.I.
Hughes was third last year at 152. Both he and LaBrie are wrestling this weekend at 160 pounds.
“We’re expecting a good showing from Cody,” said coach Matt Rix, fresh off guiding the Hawks to their third straight Maine Class A title. “He’s going in with hungry and with the same mind set. He’s in good position to make the finals.”
Hughes is one of six Marshwood wrestlers, along with Darren LaPointe (106), Bradley Beaulieu (113), Josh Marks (120), Jackson Howarth (152) and Brett Gerry (182).
Noble is sending three wrestlers — Austin Shorey (113), Otto Keisker (145) and Joseph Grenier (152).
Howarth (49-1) and Gerry (51-1) are coming off strong season in which they won Class A state titles in their weight classes along with Hughes and Beaulieu.
Hughes and Howarth are three-time state champs, while Gerry is a two-time champ.
“Both of them have the potential to finish in the top four,” Rix said. “Conditioning our kids are ready. We’ve had a good couple weeks of practice.”
Beaulieu (43-5) is another one who could break the top four. In fact, Rix sees the potential for an all-Maine final with Gardiner’s Peter DelGallo, who beat Beaulieu at the New England Qualifier, 3-1.
Beaulieu, a freshman, has been a great addition to the team, even though he is new. Originally from Waterboro, he lived in Biddeford last year.
“He has a great team ethic,” Rix said. “He fits well in the program and is a great kid.”
Rix said Marks (28-13) is a surprise to be competing after great Class A and NE Qualifier meets.
“I don’t know what to expect,” Rix said. “I didn’t expect him to get this far. He has a tough first match, so we’ll see.”
LaPointe (40-11) came off a disappointing state meet to wrestle well at the qualifier. He has a tough first-round match against a kid who beat him by one point early in the season — Tyler Bird of Londonderry, N.H.
“He could go down and medal,” Rix said.
Rix said some of the talk around the meet is that Marshwood could finish in the top six.
“It could definitely happen if all wrestle to their capability,” Rix said. “We’ve got some solid, tough kids. Five could place in the top six.”
Hughes, the Marshwood High School junior, is 49-0 this year and could see LaBrie again in this year’s New Englands, which will unfold today and Saturday in Providence, R.I.
Hughes was third last year at 152. Both he and LaBrie are wrestling this weekend at 160 pounds.
“We’re expecting a good showing from Cody,” said coach Matt Rix, fresh off guiding the Hawks to their third straight Maine Class A title. “He’s going in with hungry and with the same mind set. He’s in good position to make the finals.”
Hughes is one of six Marshwood wrestlers, along with Darren LaPointe (106), Bradley Beaulieu (113), Josh Marks (120), Jackson Howarth (152) and Brett Gerry (182).
Noble is sending three wrestlers — Austin Shorey (113), Otto Keisker (145) and Joseph Grenier (152).
Howarth (49-1) and Gerry (51-1) are coming off strong season in which they won Class A state titles in their weight classes along with Hughes and Beaulieu.
Hughes and Howarth are three-time state champs, while Gerry is a two-time champ.
“Both of them have the potential to finish in the top four,” Rix said. “Conditioning our kids are ready. We’ve had a good couple weeks of practice.”
Beaulieu (43-5) is another one who could break the top four. In fact, Rix sees the potential for an all-Maine final with Gardiner’s Peter DelGallo, who beat Beaulieu at the New England Qualifier, 3-1.
Beaulieu, a freshman, has been a great addition to the team, even though he is new. Originally from Waterboro, he lived in Biddeford last year.
“He has a great team ethic,” Rix said. “He fits well in the program and is a great kid.”
Rix said Marks (28-13) is a surprise to be competing after great Class A and NE Qualifier meets.
“I don’t know what to expect,” Rix said. “I didn’t expect him to get this far. He has a tough first match, so we’ll see.”
LaPointe (40-11) came off a disappointing state meet to wrestle well at the qualifier. He has a tough first-round match against a kid who beat him by one point early in the season — Tyler Bird of Londonderry, N.H.
“He could go down and medal,” Rix said.
Rix said some of the talk around the meet is that Marshwood could finish in the top six.
“It could definitely happen if all wrestle to their capability,” Rix said. “We’ve got some solid, tough kids. Five could place in the top six.”