By Jay Pinsonnault
jpinsonnault@seacoastonline.com
The York High School wrestling team earned two wins at Saturday’s Kennebunk Duals, beating Portland (37-24) and Cheverus (41-28).
However, coach Wally Caldwell was more impressed with the three individuals who brought home titles.
Josh Smith (152 pounds), Connor Elsemore (170) and Mark Slusher (195) all defeated competitors that they lost to earlier in the season for the win.
Elsemore pinned Portland’s Greg Cassela in the first period of their match, Slusher beat Marshwood’s Tyler Fife, 7-3, and Smith pinned Marshwood’s Justin Stacey in the first round of their match.
“All three kids beat kids who they lost to earlier in the season, that’s a real confidence booster,” Caldwell said. “Its huge and it also justifies the stuff we do in practice and them having faith in themselves. They all worked hard to turn the corner and that’s what you want to be doing at this point of the season. If all three of those guys had lost, to the same in the kids they had lost to before, they’re saying ‘I am killing myself and I am not getting anything for it.’ Well, this way, they are killing themselves, but they are getting something for it.
“If those three had lost, it would’ve been an OK day from a team perspective,” Caldwell continued. “The fact that they won those matches, those are our marquee wrestlers right now and those are the ones who you need to win. Those are the guys we count on, those are the guys who set the tone in practice. Those are the ones who need to get the big W’s and they got them on Saturday. II thought it was a great day.”
The Wildcats were coming off a 36-30 win over Fryeburg last Wednesday in dual meet. The Wildcats had first period pin wins from Smith (5:20), Josh Mackamin (3:07), and Jon Mackamin (2:58). The other three wins were by forfeit.
York will host its third match of the season on Saturday with the inaugural Hammerhead Duals. Teams scheduled to complete include Wells, Massabesic, Dirigo, Monmouth, Oak Hill, Boothbay and Wiscasset.
“It’s always nice to have a home meet,” Caldwell said.