MV vs Dir Wrestling

By Bob McPhee

 RUMFORD-Prior to stepping on the mat, Ian Austin was well aware of what was at stake and the Mountain Valley wrestler went right after it, which proved to be doubly rewarding.

Austin earned his 100th career win and also clinched the meet by pinning Dalton Berry at 182-pounds as Mountain Valley rallied for a 36-31 win against Dirigo in an extremely intense Mid State League dual meet, last week at Puiia Gymnasium. The best was saved for last as the neighboring rivals put it all on the line.

It was the rubber meet between Mountain Valley and Dirigo who had split in two dual meets, last month. The Falcons won the initial meet at Fryeburg, however, the Cougars prevailed at Oak  Hill. In other action, both River Valley teams handled undermanned Monmouth Academy and Oak Hill.

''It definitely feels good,''Austin said, moments after sticking Berry with a head and arm, in the first period. ''It feels especially good to recognized with those other guys up on the wall.''

Austin joins 26 former and current Falcons who have won over 100 matches. That includes his father Eric who won a Class B state championship in 1993, finishing his career with a record of 123-18.

''I know my Dad is proud of me,''Austin said. ''I'm enjoying having a much better senior season, especially after being injured, last year.''  

         

The climatic match had been set, following Cougar sophomore Spencer Vaughn winning a 14-0 major decision (four-team points) against Mike Arsenault, for a 31-0 lead at 170.

The teams had tried juggling its respective lineups, in order to receive favorable outcomes. Every match was intense, with three still scoreless late in the second period.

Mountain Valley had taken a double-digit lead, following a trio of wins. Eddie DeRoche and Tucker Barnett was  scoreless, until DeRoche executed a standing escape in the second period. DeRoche used a power-half nelson to stick Barnett. The Cougar wrestler had decisioned Jacques 7-5, last month. At 138, both wrestlers moved down, but Dakota Jacques used a grapevine in pinning Colin Woodhead. Last month, Jacques had reached the century mark in wins, at the Atlantic Invitational. The return of Brandon Gill helped, as he utilized an initial burst, in an 8-2 decision against Hunter White.

"There were some key matches,''Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said, beginning with a pair of freshmen at 113 who remained scoreless after two periods. The Falcons Nate White executed a reversal and two near falls, in an 8-3 decision over Jon Wainwright. ''Eddies win was big, Dakota keeps getting better and we needed Brandon to hold on. The coin toss (regarding which wrestler stepped on mat, first) really helped us.''

In a technical match at 126, Griffyn Smith of Dirigo and Ethan Boucher each scrambled tightly contested match. Smith, a two-time Class C state champion, executed a near-fall in the third period and countered Boucher's (Class B state champion) attempt, for a 2-0 decision.