NEWPORT-Prior to
Griffyn Smith stepping on the wrestling mat he had already stymied that he
wasn't going to take any thing for granted and the Dirigo standout certainly
wrestled with a purpose en route to winning an individual championship at the
Nokomis Warrior Clash.
Never underestimate depth in a wrestling tournament because
it's an asset and Skowhegan certainly had it with six individual champions and
scored 186 points to repeat as the team champion by easily outdistancing Dirigo
(103) to finish second, again.
Dirigo who was second through out the day, held off vastly
improved Oxford Hills 93, Foxcroft Academy 84 and Nokomis (67) rounded out the
top five. The Vikings had pulled to within 88 to 81 points, after the
consolation semi-finals.
''This was a great showing,''Oxford Hills coach Tony Stevens
said, prior to the championship and consolation finals which were competed
simultaneously on adjacent mats. ''The biggest difference is every one is still
enjoying being at practice and pushing each other. Our (sucess) has been an ongoing
process, but we are continuing to improve.''
Skowhegan had pulled
away after winning nine semi-final matches, scoring 121. 5 points. The
championship bracket is point-heavy because each winning wrestler has an
opportunity to earn 14 points (10 points, plus two-advancement and a pin is two
points). The Indians proved to be dominate with Skowhegan's Cody Craig (106), Samson Sirois (113), Tyler Craig (126), Julian
Sirois (145), Kameron Doucette (152) and
Logan Stevens (160).
''Wrestling
year-round has definitely helped,''Cody Craig said, unbeaten sophomore who won
at the Noble tournament last Tuesday. ''Most of the guys who wrestle year-round
tend to be the better wrestlers and going out-of-state increases the level of
competition. So, when we come here, we are not (intimidated).''
Dirigo began the by splitting two head-to-head matches
against Skowhegan. Cougar freshman Jon Wainwright was pinned in the second
period by Samson Sirois.
''I was familiar with him from youth tournaments and had
crushed him,''Smith said, who secured a spadle to stick Jon Bell, in second
period. ''But, I couldn't go out there thinking that way. No doubt he has
improved and he had advanced to the finals of this tournament.''
Smith started out offensive and executed a takedown and
two-point near fall, in the initial period. The Cougar, a two-time defending
Class C state champion, had executed a reversal early in the second period and
bided his time.
''I was just out there at that point,'Smith said. ''I waited
to see what he would give me. Bell )
exposed his foot, so I just flipped him over.''
Dirigo scored well with Hunter White (138-pounds), Bryce
Whittemore (152 ) and Lucas ''Bull'' MacDonald (195) who each placed third.
Whittemore out pointed Dempsey Carigan of Maranacook and MacDonald was solid in
a 12-6 decision against Tyler Wallace of Oxford Hills. The Cougars Spencer
Vaughn placed fourth at 170.
''We didn't earn it today,”Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said,
regarding losing six of eight SF matches. ''We haven't been overly (successful)
in the SF round, but with no seniors every one will be back next year. So, our
goal will be putting five in the finals. We took practices easy over the break
because we are traveling early the next three weeks. Hopefully, the rest will
pay off.''
Oxford Hills Malik Geiger (182) started fast and overcame a
near-disaster roll, to repeat as champion. The Vikings Zach Harris (170) was stuck by Abraham Eaton
of Gorham, in the finals. Taylor Gudeahn-Alleano placed third at 126, as did
Viking teammate Dawson Stevens who pinned Terry Stover of Mount Blue
In a rivalry match, Doucette held off Brooke Law 4-3. Law
had broke his older brother's record for career wins at Foxcroft, quarterfinal 168.
The elder Law was in attendance, who is home on leave from the Army.
''We always have close matches,''Doucette said, who was
voted Most Outstanding Wrestler. ''I had beat him in overtime at Noble. We are
good friends and talk between matches, but not when we are on the mat.''
Emily Levesseur of Monmouth placed fourth at 113.