By Bob McPhee
RUMFORD-The quality in wrestling certainly cant be overlooked and it was certainly the difference for Mountain Valley who scored 148.5 points to win the Mid-State League championship Saturday by rallying past Dirigo which finished second with 142.
Mountain Valley had won last year in what proved to be one of the most competitive league tournament was no exception. The rival Falcons and Cougars battled through out the day and was close entering the championship consolations and finals, which were held simultaneously. Mountain Valley individual champions Caleb Austin (120), Ethan Boucher (126), Eddie DeRoche (132) and Ian Austin (182); each earned four points, plus two points for a pin). The Falcons won three of four head-to-head matches in the finals against Dirigo, however, Ian Austin delivered the clinching win. The senior was aware of the situation and was all business on the mat by pinning Ryan Case of Madison, in 1:43. Dirigo was led by champions Jon Wainwright (113) and Hunter White (138). Fryeburg Academy 121, Wells 74.5 and Oak Hill 73 rounded out the top five.
“I bumped-up the lineup today,”MV coach Gary Dolloff said, of the Falcons who have won 14 MSL championships, since 1989. “This was done to see where every one could be most effective because we have the regional next week and the state meet the following Saturday. I'm glad we were able to wrestle some kids. So, right now its all about points, points, points.”
Caleb Austin started the string by pinning Griffyn Smith of Dirigo. Smith is a two-time Class C state champion. Boucher won Class B crown as a freshman, last year, used arm bars to made quick work against the Cougars Gus Brown. DeRoche followed by sticking Tucker Barnett with one-second left in the match. The whistle drew controversy because the referee was tapped, prior to the pin being signaled.
''I've wrestled him several times this (season),''DeRoche said. ''So, I knew what he was going to do. Like leaving his feet (exposed) in the neutral position. Then he wasn't moving down on the mat, so I waited and caught him.''
Falcon Issac Therrin was stuck by Matt Day of Fryeburg, in 160 final. Dirigo received a big win by White who earned a hard fought 4-2 decision against Brandon Gill of Mountain Valley. The Cougar wrestler withstood an attempted reversal in bein voted Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Cougar freshmen Chase Thebage and Wainwright each experienced mixed results, early in the finals. Oak Hill sophomore Danny Buteau went out aggressively and repeated the 106 championship , by sticking Thebage, in 50 seconds.
Wainwright recorded the initial takedown and stayed attack mode, pinning Jon Mackaman of York, in 1:59.
''I went out there defensive,''Wainwright said, who had lost twice to the Wildcat wrestler. ''Once I (secured) positioning, I could ride him and wait. He was standing, but not all the way up. I really feel comfortable on top (offensive).''
Bryce Whittemore had peaks and valleys also, beginning with winning a 4-2 decision against Dakota Jacques of Mountain Valley 5-0 in a semi-final match. Whittemore was unable to counter pinning combinations by Josh Smith of York, in the finals.
''We hadn't looked good Thursday (meets). That was after having not practiced Monday and Tuesday,''Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said, who earned coach of the year, award. ''But, we looked good today, so I'm pleased. We knew Mountain Valley would be strong. But, putting seven in finals was really good.'' In any tournaments it is important for wrestlers who have suffered adversity to wrestle back and score vital advancement team points. Mountain Valley had Nate White and Jacques each place third, while Mike Provencher was fourth at 145. Cougars Spencer Vaughan and Lucas MacDonald each placed third at 17 and 195, respectively.
Fryeburg Trevor Henschel (195) and Angel Excalante (285) were champions. Henschel and Micheal Curtis (220) of Wells have won MSL title. Curtis is a two-time Class B state champion.