Wrestling Teams to Watch

1 Marshwood: Coach Matt Rix’s Hawks have won three straight Class A titles and a fourth straight title seems almost a given. The powerhouse program is star-studded. Jackson Howarth and New England runner-up (in overtime) Cody Hughes, who will likely wrestle at 160 and 170 pounds, are seeking to become the 17th and 18th four-time state champions in the history of Maine high school wrestling. Fellow senior Brett Gerry (likely 195) is the favorite to win his third state title and sophomore Bradley Beaulieu already has one state title at 113 pounds and was fifth at New Englands.

2 Noble: The Knights have a young team but could leapfrog three-year runner-up Massabesic and Skowhegan for second place in Class A. Sophomores Austin Shorey (113/120) and Josh Grenier (145/138) and junior Otto Keisker (152/160) each placed at the Class A meet. Senior Robert Worell was second at 195 pounds last year and could slide down a weight class. The difference makers could be experienced wrestlers Jake Martel, Bailey Coull and Devin Bourque who will fill the 126-138 classes and lightweights Joe Pilecki, Hil Keisker and Joe Langley who were impressive in preseason bouts.

3 Massabesic: In Mike Risti (195) and heavyweight Jordan Drain, Mustangs Coach Rick DeRosier can call on two senior Class A champions to set the tone. Zac Richard (145/152) is another senior who is of the same caliber, though a state title has eluded him the past two years due to injury and upset losses. Sophomores Trevor Walton (182/195) and Leo Amabile (106) are also among a group of “seven to 10 guys who could place at regionals and I’m hoping we can place six at states,” DeRosier said.

4 Portland: The Bulldogs were seventh in Class A last season and Coach Tony Napolitano thinks they could move up this winter. Seniors Jaime Lones-Martinez (120/126) and Greg Cassella (160/170) are returning top-four finishers, with Lones-Martinez going on to place third at 120 pounds at the New England qualifier last season. Josh Hunnewell (182), Clautel Buba (160/170) and Jeremiah Israel-Copeland are three wrestlers expected to score points this season at championship meets.

5 Camden Hills: Every year the Windjammers graduate talented wrestlers and every year they compete. Winning a fourth straight Class B title (and fifth in six years) will be tough with good competition expected from Mountain Valley, Ellsworth, Foxcroft and York. In seniors John Underhill (138), Jared Gilbert (220) and lightweight Zac Annis and junior Eli Smith (145/152) they have four wrestlers who placed third in the state last year. Veterans Kalo Littlejohn and Hilary Merrifield have state meet experience.


– Steve Craig