MV-Dir Wrestling @ Oak Hill

By Bob McPhee

WALES-The opportunity to compete in wrestling matches is extremely greater in this era, however, there is still goals to strive for and Griffyn Smith was able to achieve one by earning his 100th career win.

Dirigo and Mountain Valley wrestlers each saw action in a series of Mid State League dual meets, last week. But, the best was saved for last as the Cougars recorded upset decisions by Tucker Barnett (132-pounds) and Hunter White (138) to beat Mountain Valley 42-39. The intensity was quiet evident with every match, with Dirigo avenging a loss against the Falcons the previous week at Fryeburg Academy.

In other action, both River Valley teams handled Boothbay, Wiscasset and Oak Hill.

The milestone was reached quickly when Smith pinned his Wiscasset oppoent , with a reverse-half nelson.

''It feels really good,''Smith said, regarding reaching the century mark. ''I didn't think that I would do it, when I was a freshman.''

The junior has won two Class C state championships and has already   determined his short and long-term goals.

''I feel good at this weight,''Smith said, who bumped up to 120. ''I knew going up would be a little difficult, but I'm (not pulling) any and weighing out around 121. The goal is to win a third and fourth state championship and then break the school record for (career) wins.''

Former Cougars Jon Smith holds the mark with 153 wins and Derek Daley with 146. Each had reached 100 wins as juniors, later during the season.

Tahe rivals had reached a pivotal point with three matches left, and in a battle of sophomores it was Barnett who remained composed and held off Eddie DeRoche, 6-4. Barnet had been penalized for an improper starting position, but the momentum shifted when the Cougar wrestler tied the score 4-4. In the third period, DeRoche was dinged for an illegal full nelson and later for unsportsmanlike conduct. The latter resulted in the deduction of Falcon team points.

I the next match, White utilized his speed in a 7-3 win against Mike Provencher. It was White's victory that clinched the Dirigo win.

''Those matches by Tucker and Hunter were keys,''Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said, because both had lost to the Falcon wrestlers. ''We had felt the meet had been determined     right off.''

Prior to each meet, an official flips a coin to determine which team has 'even or odd matches.' This sets which team must send its wrestler out on the mat, which allows the opposing coach time to strategize.

"( Mountain Valley coach ) Gary (Dolloff) made a mistake (during coin flip),''Gilbert said. ''Gary had used it to his advantage to beat us at Fryeburg. This time he sent (Isaac Therrian) out against Bryce Whittemore, but last he had forfeited 152 and then bumped others up.''

Whittemore stuck Therrian. Mountain Valley then won the next five-contested matches, each by pin.

Mike Arsenault over Ethan Bryant; Ian Austin (182) over Dalton Berry; Caleb Austin over Smith and Ethan Boucher over Jesse Piper. Mountain Valley had Dakota Jacques stuck Colin Woodhead at 145.

The meet at Oak Hill was dotted by numerous forfeits, which has become the norm through out the entire. This has resulted in a serious drop in the quality of wrestling and the Maine Principal Association needs to address the situation.

The two RSU10 teams then loaded on to the same bus and drove home.