PTWL MS Regional

By Bob McPhee

AUGUSTA-There's some quality, however, the depth of a team can never be under estimated and Mountain Valley Middle School certainly needed it scoring 160 points to repeat as the Pine Tree Wrestling League West regional champions by out pointing Mount Ararat (151) last Saturday at Puiia Gymnasium. 

The Hawks were led by individual champions Anthony Mazza, Jr. (99-pounds) and Josh Thibodeau at 111. The Hawks had taken a commanding lead after winning six semi-final matches.

Dirigo (seventh, 88 points) might have lacked the depth, however, three wrestlers earned crowns. Victor Verrill (81), Nolan Degroot (155) and Avery Bradeen at 240. Mount Ararat had three champions Caden Kowalsky (87), Jett Gould 123 and Colby Gardner at 145, also.

The top four individuals in each weigh class have qualified to compete in the league championships, this Saturday. Mountain Valley is the defending champ, having scored 135.50 points in 2014; the Hawks who led wire to wire won their first PTWL crown since 2010. Cony (94) came on strong for third to edge out Oxford Hills 86. 

''I've said it before that in order to win a tournament like this a team needs consolation wins,”MV coach Anthony Mazza has previously said, who placed nine wrestlers in the top four of each weight class. 

Mazza Jr. breezed in the finals match with a 10-0 major decision against Austin Merrill of Skowhegan. Mazza, sixth grade, proved to be dominate and pinned Blaise Tripp, Gardiner, 4:04, in finals. Thibodeau, who had rejoined the team this season and has been extremely successful, won over Ben Laurence of Mt Ararat.

The Cougar trio of champs equaled each other. Verrill didn't waste mat time and stuck Calvin Peck of Nokomis in 30 seconds. Bradeen, who had set a school record with 24 pins last year, stuck Wyatt Charest of Cony, 30 seconds. Degroot recorded a 10-0 major decision against Nic Mills, Cony.

The Hawks had finalists Max Merrill (75), Evrit Roy (93), Dylan Desroches (123) and Darin Buono (170).

87 Denzel Gurney pinned Mason Savary, Bath, to place third, at 87. The Hawks had fourths by Grant Carrier and Kyle Kenney at 81 and 145, respectively.

Cougar Cameron Kidder placed third at 195. 

Nokomis was third (143.5), followed by Cony 113, Oxford Hills and Mount Blue. The East regional was won by Troy Howard (207), Medomak (188) and Oceanside with 142.

York's Smith, Elsemore pin down league meet titles

Smith, Elsemore claim league meet crowns

By Jay Pinsonnault

jpinsonnault@seacoastonline.com 

The drive through wintry conditions to Rumford on Saturday was better than they thought, the results once they got there were even better.

The York High School wrestling team made the 114-mile trek to Mountain Valley High School on Saturday for the eight-team league meet, and the Wildcats returned home with a fourth-place finish and two champions.

Josh Smith, at 152 pounds, and Connor Elsemore, at 170, won their respective weight classes for York.

Smith beat Bryce Whitmore of Dirigo in the championship match,, while Elsemore pinned Fryeburg Academy’s Willy McFawn in the finals.

“He (Whitmore) is a solid wrestler, a kid Josh had lost to earlier in the season,” York coach Wally Caldwell said. “Connor went out and was just phenomenal. He is focused right now. You don’t to get him agitated. He has a gear that I haven’t seen in too many wrestlers at Yok. He has that fifth gear. I pity the person he wrestler. He did a great job in the finals and he comes off the mat and he’s not jumping up and down, he just walked off like he took care of business.”

Jon Mackamin placed second at 113, while Josh Mackamin was third at 106.

Mountain Valley won the meet with 148 points, while Dirigo (141) and Fryeburg Academy (129) placed second and third, respectively.

York will now compete in Saturday’s 11-team regional meet at Wells High School. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

“It’s wide open, there’s four teams we don’t have a clue about and what they have in any weight class,” Caldwell said. “I’d say that after last weekend Mountain Valley and Fryeburg are the top two teams. I can’t really see any team sneaking in and getting one of those two spots.”

The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to the state championship meet the following Saturday at Fryeburg Academy.

Caldwell hopes five or six of his nine-man lineup can do well enough to advance.

The nine York wrestlers include Josh Mackamin (106), Jon Mackamin (113), Thomas Beecher (120), Alex Papp (145), Smith (152), Andrew Brenner (160), Elsemore (170), Mark Slusher (195) and Ben Mahoney (unlimited).

Smith and Elsemore won the Class B state championship last year.

York beats Deering

The Wildcats defeated Deering, 36-30 last Wednesday at Kennebunk High School.

Elsemore, Slusher and Smith all pinned their respective opponents.

MID States at MV

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.

USM's Dan DeCarlo Named NEWA Rookie Wrestler of the Week

Freshman wrestler Dan DeCarlo Earned NEWA Rookie of the Week Honors

GORHAM, Maine  – Freshman Dan DeCarlo (Port Jervis, N.Y.) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' wrestling team has been named the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Rookie Wrestler of the Week.  It is the first honor of the season for a Husky wrestler and the first of DeCarlo's career.

            Grappling at 165-pounds, DeCarlo continued his strong start to his intercollegiate career posting a 2-0 record over the weekend, as the Huskies split a pair of dual matches with Rhode Island College and Plymouth State.  DeCarlo helped leads the Huskies to a resounding 40-9 win over PSU with a 4-2 win over the Panthers' Clay Callahan.  In his second match of the day, DeCarlo then battled his way to a thrilling 7-5 decision against Rhode Island College's Vincent Drago.

            With the two wins, DeCarlo improved his overall record to 10-4.  He has won his last four matches consecutively and is among the team leaders in wins by fall with seven.

            Southern Maine, ranked ninth in the latest New England Division III Poll, is 7-3 on the season in dual meet action.  Off for Finals Week, Southern Maine returns to action on Sunday, December 21 at Grapple at the Garden.  USM will face two nationally-ranked opponents while competing at New York City's Madison Square Garden.  The Huskies will face Stevens Institute (8:00 a.m.) and Muhlenberg (10:00 a.m.).   

PTWL regionals on tap Saturday

BY GEORGE ALMASI Times Record Staff

SABATTUS
The Pine Tree Wrestling League is hitting the regional stage with the West Tournament scheduled for this Saturday (9 a.m.) at Oak Hill Middle School.

Bath, Mt. Ararat and Sugg will be among the middle schools competing.

Bath Middle
"This season has had its ups and downs as every season poses new challenges for coaches all over the state," said head coach AJ Reno in his fourth campaign. "This was the first year as head coach that I have been unable to fill all of the 16 weight classes. Just two years ago when we achieved our first Regional and League Championship as a team, I had enough wrestlers to fill those weight classes twice!

"Many coaches at the middle school and high school level have seen a drastic drop in numbers over the years.

"Hopefully we can come together and make necessary changes to help keep this great sport alive and thriving."

Reno has been able to fill 12 weight classes. "We have made huge improvements from the beginning of the season to now," said Reno. "Out of the 16 weight classes, Bath has wrestlers in a total of 12; forfeiting in the 99, 105, 195 and 240-pound weight classes.

"Out of those 12, I believe eight will be seeded in the top-four of their respected weight classes with a few others ‘on the bubble’ to get to the podium on Saturday.

Standouts this year have been Jordan Douglas (93, 12- 1), Tyreik Foster (123, 12-3), Isaiah Cogswell (130, 11-0) and Taylor Avery (14513-2).

"These four are not only looking at top-three seeds in their weight classes come Saturday, but have also been this year's captains with a combined match record of 48-6 in the Western Regional," lauded Reno. "And they look to continue their goal of achieving greatness when they enter Morse next year as freshman for the Morse wrestling squad.

"I have also been very fortunate to have wrestlers new to the sport that have had great success this year and look to continue and place at the regional meet. Our meet record this year was 10-10, which could have been better if we were able to keep everyone healthy and without prior commitments throughout the whole year. With that being said, I truly believe we can be one of the top contenders to bring home a regional title come Saturday.

"My wrestlers know what they need to do, and I’m confident they will give me every thing they have to give on Saturday. If they can do that, that’s all a coach can really ask from their wrestlers."

Others to look for include Wyeth Miller at 75 (4-2), Mason Savary at 81 (9-6), Corey Larmon at 87 (6-9), Austin Baltazar at 111 (11-4), Donavin Rector at 117 (14-1), Arius Eich at 137 (11-3), Alex Martin at 155 (7-4) and Thomas Haggett at 170 (7-8).

Mt. Ararat Eagles
"The season is going very well. We started with 26 kids and we’ll finish the season with 24 on the roster," said head coach Mike Taylor. "We have a pretty even split of grades with nine sixthgraders, eight seventhgraders and nine eighthgraders. This year we have fifth-sixth graders that have come up through the Pee Wee program with Caden Kowalsky (75, 18-3), Josiah Langworthy (81, 16-1), Cody Holman (87, 14-3) and Ben Laurence (110, 11-8) who have been wrestling for twoto four years already, so the experience level in practice is easier to work with.

"With the returning wrestlers and those four they can help the new comers learn quicker, plus by teaching the kids to improve themselves. The returnees that didn’t break the lineup are Tyler Wilkinson (140) and Sam Dufour (137).

Newcomers Sterling Kloberdan (130), Drew Kiernan (155, 10-6), Daniel Pratt (155) and Reilly Fake (195) have helped fill the roster.

"Of course any coach knows that with the help of good managers Kayla Doherty, Maxine Grubb and Raven Raubeson, the team runs smoother," lauded Taylor.

Of his team record, Taylor said, " I get laughed at with my response to this question a lot of times because my answer usually is ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t look at the team record as a gauge because of the number of forfeits at most meets. I look for individual improvement, which us coaches, myself and Terence Kenney, have seen a lot of so far this season.

"But, I just looked and our team record is 15-6 for the season."

With regards to the West Regional, Taylor said, "We should do pretty well at regionals. Kowalsky, Longworthy, Holman and Laurence should do well along with Isaac Ducatt at 99 (13-8). Also, captain Lexi Witherell (130, 13-8), captain Cody Kinney (137, 11-5), Colby Gardiner (145, 16-5) and captain Caden Temple (195, 10-2).

"The tournament will be a good experience for the rest of the team with Noah Gray (93, 7-12), Ian Beauregarde (105, 3-13), Garrett Williams (117, 7-5), Jett Gould (123, 4- 1), Drew Kiernan (155, 10-6), Austin Pratt (170, 4-6) and Elijah Bernier (240, 5-5).

"It’s all about the mat time ... the more wrestling you can do the better you’re going to get."
Also, Brady Mitchell (145) is the lone wrestler from Brunswick with an 8-6 record. "He’s been improving along so he has a good shot at making some noise this weekend," said Taylor.
Sugg Greyhounds

"The season went very well," said Sugg coach Brian Wagner. "We had a large group — 23 kids on our team. On the mat we have a hard-working, well-mannered group. Off the mat, all 23 kids stayed out of trouble, kept their grades up and were eligible all season. As a team we finished 11-8."

Individual standouts include sixth-grader Jack Tibbetts, who is 16-3 at 81 pounds.
Others to look for include eighth-graders Andrew Patenaude at 123 (12-4), Ben Blake at 145 (9-1) and Brad Harriman at 155 (16-4). Seventh grader Kane Katula went 15-4 at 170.
"There is a good handful of tough teams in the West," said Wagner. "Mountain Valley, Oxford Hills andAugusta, just to name a few.

"My expectations are to see my kids leave everything they have on the mat. Also, to accept responsibility for the results of their matches by showing respect toward opposing teams. Effort and attitude."