By Bob McPhee
There was certainly a high level of competition and Maine wrestlers held up at the 51st annual New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship, at North Andover, Massachusetts. Mount Anthony of Vermont (122.5 points) won for the third-straight year. Marshwood (fourth, 55 points) was the highest ranking Maine team at NE, for the second-straight year. The Hawks earned three medals, including finalist Bradley Beaulieu at 126-pounds.
The results on Friday night certainly set the tone at the two-day, double-elimination tournament. A win in the rounds of 32 or 16-bracket would advance each individual and increase the level of competition.
Fate wasn't with area wrestlers who quickly fell behind the eight-ball in their initial matches. Mountain Valley's Class B state champion's Ethan Boucher (120) and Ian Austin (182) each lost. Boucher lost a nail-biting 8-7 decision to Nick Camach of Woburn, Mass. Boucher led 4-0 entering third period, but Camach executed a takedown and near-fall points. Austin was short-sided by Henry Oberta of Xavarin.
''It was an eye-opening experience for Ethan. Hopefully, it will help him in getting to where he wants to be, in future,''Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. ''It's a different culture at New England. But, the lack of live wrestling for two weeks by Maine kids was obvious both physically and mentally.''
Malik Geiger of Oxford Hills experienced heartache after losing an overtime thriller, in the round of 16. Geiger was unable to hold Matt Frolo of Cohasset, MA, in fourth extra session. The Viking senior then redeemed himself by winning two matches, including a 5-2 decision against Austin, In the con.- quarterfinals, Geiger streak ended with a 3-0 loss to Brett Gerry of Marshwood.
''Malik did well by winning twice and was one match away from placing,''Oxford Hills coach Tony Stevens said, who was scoreless with Gerry after two periods, in rematch of Class A state meet finals. But, Gerry escaped and then counter Geiger's attempted takedown that went out of bounds. ''The difference better Maine and out-of-state wrestlers is the three styles (folk-lure, freestyle and Greco-Roman). Those kids have the intensity level, they attack and are relentless.''
Dirigo teammates Griffyn Smith 120 and Hunter White each was pinned. Smith by Matt Coni and White by Hunter Costa of Saint John.
As often is the case, being dropped in to the consolation brackets usually produces some matches against Maine wrestlers. This was no exception as Boucher was eliminated after being decisioned, 7-1, by Andy Shorey of Noble. The Falcon sophomore had also lost to Shorey in the Maine qualifier tournament. White was pinned by Zach Caron of Dexter; the Cougar sophomore was also stuck by Caron in the finals of the Class C state meet.
White was an alternate, however, he received an opportunity to wrestle because the Maine No.1 seed, withdrew.
Smith, three-time Class C state champion, was stuck by Colin Cardoe of Mt. Hope.
Maine placed five individuals again, this year, including Beaulieu, who had won a thrilling 2-1 match in the semi-finals. The Hawk sophomore, who placed sixth in NE in 2014, faced Todd Grassway of Mount Anthony in finals and was stuck. Teammate Cody Hughes who was a finalist last year, lost 3-1 in SF, but wrestled back to place third at 170. Hughes, a four-time state champion, has placed three years in NE tournament. The Hawks Jackson Howarth placed fifth at 160. Mike Curtis of Wells, third for the second-straight year and Peter DelGallo fourth at 126; who had won a NE crown as a freshman, in 2013, placed last ear, also.
''In terms of preparation, this was the best ever,''Dolloff said.''I was away from coaching three years, but (MV youth coach) Eric (Austin) took our kids every where (univerties) to practice. The commodity between Maine kids was great, they cheered and supported each other.''
The strategy at NE is totally different setting for Maine wrestlers because it doesn’t allow for feeling out an opponent- so the initial takedown is extremely important. A defensive style can be counter-productive because earning a lead allows utilizing leg rides to derail opponents. The competition at New England is extremely intense and mental mistakes have proven, costly. Peter DelGallo of Gardiner,