By Bob McPhee
SANFORD-When Trevor Henschel was forced to deal with a dose of adversity he admitted mishandling the situation, however, the Fryeburg Academy decided against throwing in the towel and paid off by winning a championship at the second annual state qualifying tournament to earn a berth in the New England tournament.
There was a lot at stake his is the second year that the Maine Principal Association has sponsored the event, featuring the top wrestlers from Classes A, B and C. The state of Maine had automatically sent its state champions to NE, however, last year the MPA held a qualifying tournament for all-classes. This was done in an effort to enhance the level of competitive Maine wrestlers who compete at NE. The qualifier is still a work in progress.
Several wrestlers from Western and Central Maine was among the top three individuals in the 14-weight classes who have automatically qualified for the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship, to be held in North Andover, Massachusetts, in March. Maliek Geiger of Oxford Hills won a crown by injury default over Brett Gerry of Marshwood. It was redemption for Geiger who had fell shy at the qualifier, last year . Mountain Valley's Ethan Boucher (120) and Ian Austin (182) placed second and third, respectively. The competition at New England is extremely intense and mental mistakes have proven, costly. Boucher secured a spot at the next level, after decisioning Dirigo's Griffyn Smith in the semi-finals.
''I knew it would be a tough match,''Boucher said, who reset the school single-season record with 54 wins. ''He had beat me twice this season, caught me in a scramble at the Atlantic (tournament) and then 2-0. Once I got ahead I could dictate the action. I was up 6-2 entering the third period, so I took the bottom (position) and that was the safest, rather than starting neutral and risk being thrown.''
Boucher was schooled by Andy Shorey of Noble, in the finals. Smith, three-time Class C state champion, wrestled back through to place third, after decision Antonio Ayala of Foxcroft, 19-2.
''This feels really good to have earned a trip to New England,''Smith said. ''Especially after last year, when I had lost quickly (in consolation finals).''
There was numerous quality match-ups through out the event. This included several multiple state champions. A bright spot was Cody Hughes of Marshwood, who pinned Abraham Eaton of Gorham, in finals. Hughes, a four-time state champion, had placed third and second in the NE tournament.. ''I credit my teammates and caches for helping by pushing me,''Hughes said, who holds the all-time state record with 210 wins. Hughes will wrestle at Vrginia Tech, next fall. Hughes received the Dennis Bishop Most Outstanding Wrestler award. Bishop is retiring as a Official, after 41 years. Hawk teammates Bradley Beaulieu (126, Justin Stacy (152) and Jackson Howarth each won championships. Beaulieu won in four overtimes by riding out Peter DelGallo of Gardiner, who had won a NE crown in 2013. Marshwood, unofficial team champions again, qualified seven. Stacy and Howarth each executed late reversals to win, against Dominick Day, Biddeford and Robert Heahterman of Mount Ararat.
''We had five state champions and under the old format they would have automatically qualified,''Marshwood coach Matt Rix said. ''They have a lot to lose, but guys who had placed third or fourth have every thing to gain. It's a double-edged sword.''
Austin won 3-0 against Andrew Doody-Veillieux of Gardiner in the con-SF and then stuck Dalton Berry of Dirigo in con-finals. The Cougars Hunter White 138 and Berry are alter nets.
Henschel decsioned Kalo Littlejohn of Camden Hills in finals.
''I didn't until Wednesday if I would even wrestle here,''Henschel said, who had been devastated after losing to Littlejohn in Class B state finals. ''I decided to go out there and give it every thing that I have. I didn't want to regret not coming and trying. I just love wrestling.''
Brothers Cody and Tyler Craig of Skowhegan, laced first and third, respectfully at 106 and 126.
Ellsworth' lone champion was Dagan Berenyi (145), also winning was Samson Sirois (113), Skowhegan; Aiden Whitis (132), Cheverus; Zeko Caudill (138), Cony; Mike Curtis (220) of Wells and Peter Knorr 285, Mount Ararat. Marshwood was the highest ranking Maine team at the NE, last year