The chance to endure an extra dose of competition is always enticing.
Maine’s best wrestlers will have an opportunity to test their skills this weekend at the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship, each hoping to add another win or two to their already impressive resumes.
Wrestlers from Maine who were among the top three in each of 14 weight classes advanced at the state qualifying tournament. The Maine Principals’ Association decided three years ago to hold a qualifying tournament for all classes.
The two-day, double elimination New England event will be held at the Providence Career and Technical Center in Rhode Island.
Area wrestlers who earned a spot on the state contingent include Dirigo’s Griffyn Smith at 113 pounds, Hunter White (138) and Bryce Whittemore (152), and Mountain Valley’s Caleb Austin (126), Ethan Boucher (132) and Eddie DeRoche 145. Danny Buteau (120) of Oak Hill is also among the qualifiers.
The experience of competing at the New England meet can be an asset for several Mainers. Smith is a four-time state champion. Buteau and Boucher are each returning for the third-straight year.
“This will be Griffyn’s fourth try, and he’s looking to win a couple of matches. He has pinned 45 out of 46 kids this year,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “Hunter could do well depending on which Hunter shows up. Bryce’s first go, his goal is to win a match or two.”
The strategy at the larger meet is different for Maine wrestlers, because it doesn’t allow for feeling out an opponent. The initial takedown is extremely important. A defensive style can be counter-productive. The competition at the New England meet is intense, and mental mistakes can prove costly.
Maine returns two medalists from last year — finalist Bradley Beaulieu at 126 pounds, and Peter DelGallo of Gardiner, who won a championship as a freshman in 2013.
Marshwood was the highest ranking Maine team at New Englands a year ago, for the second straight year. DelGallo and Austin Shorey (119) of Noble both could place
“The goal was to come down here and place as high as I could for New England,” said Whittemore, who was controlled in qualifying by Skowhegan’s Julian Sirois, (48-0). “He was just so strong that I could break away. I had lost a few matches early in season. but, I feel good about how I’m wrestling now.”
Smith and Austin will each receive a byes Friday and will wrestle Saturday morning.
Austin cruised through to the qualifying finals and then was pressured in a 3-2 win against Jake Martel of Noble. A clear difference between Maine and out-of-state wrestlers is the three styles.
“Our qualifying tournament just gets better and better. There were a lot of full weight classes,” Foxcroft Academy coach Luis Ayala said. “It has taken awhile and is continuing, but we need to change the culture. The Maine wrestlers need to realize that they don’t need to be satisfied with results of the state tournaments because there is more to strive for.”
Class A state champion Skowhegan has champions Cody Craig (106) and Sirois (152). Other Maine hopefuls are Andy Shorey of Noble; Peyton Cole (138) of Ellsworth and Aden Whitis of Marshwood; Zach Caron of Foxcroft Academy (a win away from placing last year), and Jake Grenier of Noble at 145; Trent Goodwin (48-0) of Ellsworth and Karmeon Doucette of Skowhegan at 160; Robert Heatherman (170) of Mt. Ararat/Brunswick and Otto Keisker (Noble); Marshwood’s Justin Stacy (182) is solid and Christopher Wilson (195) of Nokomis also qualified.
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