DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Dana Whittemore and Gunnar Bradbury (second year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: Fourth Mid-State, fifth Class B South, seventh Class B.
Returning athletes: Seniors — David Pelletier, Nolan Degroot; Sophomores — Blaine Wilkins, Owen Libby, Chase Nelson, Colton Carlow.
Key losses: Jon Wainwright, Dalton Berry.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Wyatt Lufkin; Sophomore — Jason Beaucage; Freshmen — Logan Morris, Chalrie Fletcher.
What to expect: The Cougars have a young team that will be looking to replace Wainwright and Berry’s point production. Degroot is a two-time state runner-up and three-time medalist who enters the season with 131 career victories. Pelletier made the podium at regionals and states.
LISBON/OAK HILL
Co-coaches: Ted Albasini (sixth year) and Schyler Gagnon (second year)
Conference: Mid-State; Class: B
Last year’s results: 16-7 duals, second Mid-States, third B South, 14th Class B.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Zoe Buteau, Daniel Bolton; Juniors — Cam Bourget, Jack Tibbetts.
Key losses: Bradley Harriman.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Kylie Burns, Aiden Laviolette, Isaac Potvin, Jeremy Harmon, Evan Gagnon.
What to expect: The first year of the co-op between the former rivals was a success, and with a strong core group of wrestlers returning and being joined by some talented and eager freshmen, year two could be even better. Buteau won a regional title at 120 pounds, and is on pace to reach her 100th career victory and will try to become the first girl in Maine to win a state title this year. The other three returners, Bolton, Bourget and Tibbbetts, also medaled at regionals.
MONMOUTH ACADEMY MUSTANGS
Co-coaches: Shawn Schultz (15th year) and Kyle Fox (13th year)
Conference: Mid-State; Class: B
Last year’s results: 11th Mid-State, eighth B South.
Returning athletes: Junior — Bree Cameron; Sophomores — Leo Wilson, Evan Hasenfus, Katie Jordan, Logan Farr.
Key losses: Drew Blundon.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Gavin Brooch; Freshmen — Lucas Hand, Dan Lebeau.
What to expect: The Mustangs return most of last year’s young lineup in hopes of building off of the strides they made last year. Schultz likes the team’s chemistry and work ethic, so there’s no reason to believe they can’t move up the ranks in the Mid-State League and Class B South. Farr and Wilson are the two returners who qualified for states as freshmen.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Gary Dolloff (16th year)
Conference: Mid-State; Class: B
Last year’s results: Third Mid-State, second Class B South, sixth Class B.
Returning athletes: Senior — Darin Buono; Junior — Evrit Roy; Sophomores — Anthony Mazza, Matt Myles, Nate Leclaire.
Key losses: Nate White, Mike Arsenault, Vinny Deroche, Isaac Therrien, Camden Mason.
Promising newcomers: None named at press time.
What to expect: The Falcons have some holes to due to graduation but should fill all weight classes, with the goal of getting stronger with experience. Buono, Roy and Mazza were regional champions. Roy and Mazza made the podium at states, at which Buono was not able to wrestle.
MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Justin Nile (fourth year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 11-12 duals, 10th KVAC, eighth A North.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jagger Bullen, Hayden Nile; Junior — John Howard; Sophomores — Adam Loewen, Jimmy Archer, Tucker Nicholas.
Key losses: None.
Promising newcomers: None named at press time.
What to expect: Nile continues to build the program back up after having just five wrestlers two seasons ago. Bullen passed the 100-victory milestone and finished fourth in Class A. Nicholas and Nile reached the podium at KVACs and regionals.
OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Tony Stevens (12th year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 22-3 duals, KVAC champions, third Class A North, fourth Class A.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jaden David, Travis May, Trevor Reid; Juniors — JJ Worster, Cole Dunham, Riley Smith, Jayda Stevens.
Key losses: Dawson Stevens, Zuka Mabior, Jarrod Taylor, Jason Paradis, Dylan Cobbett, Justin David.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Dillon Worster, Cam Strout, Caleb Evans.
What to expect: The Vikings graduated a lot of wrestlers and a lot of points, but they do have some big scorers back. Jaden David and JJ Worster were second at 126 and 195, respectively, at regionals. Dunham and Smith were big contributors to the KVAC title. With a strong freshman class, Stevens expects the Vikings to be competitive with most teams in the KVAC and Class A North.
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