Photo by Jason Gendron Michael Curtis wins Saturday's New England qualifier at 220 pounds with a pin of Massabesic's Mike Risti.
By Carl Pepin
cpepin@seacoastonline.com
Wells High senior wrestler Michael Curtis has had a terrific season and he capped off his final winter competition in Maine by winning the New England qualifier on Saturday at Sanford High School.
With only four wrestlers competing in the 220 pound weight class on Saturday, Curtis took care of business with a first period pin of Oxford Hills’ Creighton Mederios in the semifinals and a second period pin of Massabesic’s Mike Risti in the championship final.
Curtis now heads to the New England High School Championships in North Andover, Massachusetts on March 6-7. He’ll train for the next week and a half at Marshwood with Hawks coach Matt Rix who invites annually invites any of Maine’s New England qualifiers to work out in South Berwick.
His 44-0 record this season is one of the finest ever at Wells and his coach thinks he may be the best Warrior grappler the school has produced. “He is arguably the best wrestler to come out of Wells High School,” said Wells coach Scott Lewia. “Nobody from Wells has won as many tournaments as Michael has.”
Lewia pointed out that Curtis is just three wins shy of the school record of 174. A year ago at the New England meet, Curtis went 4-1 and placed third at 195 – his one loss was a 3-2 decision to the eventual New England champion in the semifinals.
But despite his success this winter, Curtis has had a difficult time finding opponents. “It's been a tough second half of the season (for him),” said Lewia. “Before the New England Qualifier he had only wrestled four times. There was nobody in his weight class at the league tournament, three at regionals and a full bracket at states.”
And what makes Curtis so good on the mat? “He wrestles like he's a 140-pounder at 220,” said Lewia. “He's very quick for his size and deceivingly strong. His knowledge of the sport is beyond your typical high school wrestler.
“Michael spends much of the year wrestling going to off season tournaments he has participated in the High School Nationals the past three years and plans on attending the Senior Nationals (this year).”
And Lewia concluded by pointing out maybe Curtis’ best attribute. “Beyond wrestling Michael is very humble and very well liked by coaches and teammates.”
His list of titles include:
2-time Atlantic Invitational Champion
2-time Noble Invitational Champion
2-time Nokomis Warrior Clash Champion
4-time Mid-State League Champion
4-time Western Maine Class B Champion
3-time Maine Class B State Champion
3rd place 2014 New England Championships