AUGUSTA — Don’t ever underestimate the depth of a team like Mountain Valley Middle School, which went on to win the Pine Tree Wrestling League championships last week at Cony High School.
Mountain Valley scored 135.50 points led by individual champions Anthony Mazza Jr. (87 pounds) and Ian Brennick (240) to fend off runner-up Troy Howard (MS 118). The Hawks, who led wire to wire, won their first PTWL crown since 2010. Host Cony (94) came on strong for third to edge out Oxford Hills 86. Dirigo (78) rounded out the top five behind champion Dalton Berry at 195.
Mazza Jr. breezed in the finals match with a 10-0 major decision against Austin Merrill of Skowhegan. Mazza, a 5th-grader, battled back to win 8-6 overtime in a quarterfinal match, finished 27-0.
Brennick, started wrestling three weeks ago, executed two escapes in a 2-0 decision to upset previously unbeaten and Avery Bradeen of Dirigo. Breeden set a school record with 24 pins in the first period.
The Hawks’ Evrit Roy (81), Nate White (99) and Isaac Therrien (155), each were finalists. White lost 4-0 to Samson Sirois of Skowhegan.
Dylan Desroches (110) and Michael Arsenault (170) each placed third and Isaac Voisine (137) was fourth.
Berry, unbeaten seventh grader, pinned Jared Taylor of Oxford Hills, in finals. Cougar teammate’ Jon Wainwright lost 3-0 to Russell Damon of Oxford Hills in the 105 finals. Damon fended off a head-pry attempt by Wainwright that was whistled out of bounds.
Oxford Hills was competitive with finalists Dylon Cobbett (123) and Dawson Stevens (155). Justin David was fourth at 111.
Cony edged out Oxford Hills with champions Noah Dumas 75 and Aaron Lettre 111.
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