NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Maine wrestlers discovered exactly how competitive the next level is at the 47th annual New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championships.
Just two Maine wrestlers reached the semifinals, and none reached the championship round.
Fryeburg’s Connor Sheehan (103 pounds) and Jacob Powers (160) of Camden Hills each placed fourth. Sheehan won three of five matches, winning a 6-3 decision in the quarterfinals and lost in the semifinals to the eventual champion. The Raiders sophomore won a major decision in the consolation semifinal, but lost 7-3 in the medal round. Mike Cyr of Scarborough placed third at 215.
Several stayed alive in the consolations, including Mike McNamara (135) of Lisbon, who was eventually pinned by Ricondo Cole of Rhode Island in the consolation quarterfinal. Lisbon teammate Matt Nicholson (140) lost 2-0 on a takedown in quarterfinal, but stuck Brandon Rich (Camden Hills) before being decisioned by Jack McKeever (Brookfield, Conn.)
Multiple state champions Ryan Burgess of Mountain Valley and Eric Coulombe of Monmouth both won consolation matches. Burgess, who holds the Falcons’ school record with 150 career wins, suffered a 5-1 loss in the first round. The senior regrouped to pin Mark Smith of Foxcroft in the second period, but his third-straight trip to the event ended with loss by major decision. Coulombe won 16-3 and pinned Stephen Jarrell (East Greenwich, R.I.) before dropping a 5-2 decision.
”The action isn’t intended for the faint of heart,” Mount Ararat assistant coach Ted Reese said. “There’s no feeling out your opponent, so defensive styles won’t suffice. A snap down or hard jerk forces you to step forward, shoot immediately and keep shooting multiple shots. The top competition reacts quickly and maintaining intensity counteracts it.”
Lisbon and Mountain Valley each brought five wrestlers, the most from Maine. Forrest Cornell (119) of Lisbon lost 8-0 in the first round and then lost a hard-fought 4-2 decision to Jake Rasque of Marshwood. Cornell fell behind 4-0, executed a reversal and exposed Rasque’s back to the mat, but couldn’t hold him two-seconds for near-fall points.
“Maine (kids) came out slow,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “Connor (Sheehan) and Jake Powers looked strong, but I was surprised to see them as the only Maine kids to make the semis. The experience of several of our wrestlers did not help down here.”
Two and out was the theme for Lisbon’s Nick McNamara (103) and Josh Pomerleau (119); Mountain Valley’s Josh Thornton 145, Taylor Carey (171), Josh Allen (189) and Christian Durland (215). Carey and Durland each wrestled strong, but lost 3-0 and 5-4 decisions, respectively. Pomerleau lost 7-5.
Dirigo sophomore DJ Webber (160) was pinned twice.
Timberlane, N.H. (118½) repeated as team champion, over Mount Anthony, Vt., (76). Scarborough, Fryeburg and Camden Hills were the highest ranking Maine teams.
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