BANGOR- Camden Hills and Mountain Valley were expected to battle for the 2006 Class B state wrestling championship and no one was disappointed.
The teams engaged in a struggle for supremacy Saturday, with the Falcons 171 edging out the Windjammers 169.5.
The Windjammers and Falcons had tied for the state crown a year ago.
MV led by 7.5 points entering the finals yesterday.
Mountain Valley was led by Derek Sicotte, Ben Matthews (140 pounds), Aaron Arsenault (152), Tyler Child (189), Brendon Bradley (215) and Kyle Dow (275).
Camden Hills was equally as strong with Joe McGowen (125), Jacob Berry (140) and Harry Pearson (171). The Windjammers pulled ahead by 24 points in the semis.
‘The kids were focused today,” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. ‘We had hoped for six in finals and got them in.”
CH and the Falcons went head-to-head four times in the finals. Falcon sophomore Derek Sicotte lost 5-4 on a takedown to Joe McGowen. Ben Matthews of MV was pinned by Jacob Berry. Arsenault missed a head and arm and lost to Henry Simpkins and Child executed a standing escape in the last minute to win 6-5 over Ollie Bradeen
‘I` sprawled on him,” Child said. ‘He had beaten me before and he is strong. The firemens carry was there, so I took it.”
MV received help from third-place Belfast and Billy Berry of Wells, who beat CH in finals.
Bradley decisioned Philip Genther of Medomak Valley in the semifinals to set-up a rematch with Jim Baughter of Wells in the finals. The Falcon won his second state crown and clinched the team title.
‘Gethner was strong, but not technical,” Bradley said. ‘I did what I had to do, but I can do better. Revenge is on my mind for the final, we’ll see. There was pressure in the final, but I knew I had to step up”
Dow, a regional champion, lost 6-4 on a late takedown by Bill Chadwick of Lake Region.
Shawn Hogeland (135) of Fryeburg won a state crown by decisioning Keith Sleeper of Gardiner.
‘I go out there and wrestle, instead of just going out there just to win,” Hogeland said. ‘My brother is my inspiration and I win for him. He’s our assistant coach. I have to give Sleeper credit, he was tough, but I wanted it more.”
Kristi Pearce of Camden, the first female finalist, lost in overtime.
Mountain Valley scored well in the consolations, with T.J. Burgess third at 112 and Mike Gilbert fourth at 119. Ernie Matthews was third losing by one point to True Bragg of Camden in the 130-pound semifinal match.
Chris Cayer rallied for a grapevine pin for third at 145, Jeff Pelletier (160), nursing sore ribs, pinned with a cradle for third. Tony Gilmore of Belfast won his third-state crown.
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