DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Dana Whittemore (fourth year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B South
Returning athletes: Sophomores — Eli Lindus, Isaiah Bradeen.
Key losses: Tucker Gallagher, Colton Carlow, Chase Nelson, Owen Libby.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Addison Lufkin, Andrew Wisecup, Keira Kelley.
What to expect: It will be a season of rebuilding for the Cougars, whose oldest wrestler is a sophomore. But the middle school program is loaded with talent and that could mean a promising future ahead.
LISBON/OAK HILL
Coaches: Schyler Gagnon (seventh year), Danny Buteau (first year), Clyde Tibbetts (third year)
Conference: Mid State; Class: B
Returning athletes: Seniors — Isaac Potvin, Payden Ventry.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Colton Davis, Gabrielle Turner, Demetrius Clark.
What to expect: Lisbon/Oak Hill is rebuilding and trying to recruit more athletes after an entire winter off. The team features several promising freshmen and the middle school program is starting to filter into the high school to give the team more depth.
MONMOUTH MUSTANGS
Coaches: Shawn Schultz (19 years), Kyle Fox (16 years)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Returning athletes: Seniors — Ostin Hasenfus-Smith, Lucas Hand.
What to expect: Confidence is high for the Mustangs heading into the season.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Gary Dolloff (19 years)
Conference: Mid State; Class: B
Returning athletes: Seniors — Grant Carrier, Jonah Byam, Max Merrill, Gabe Winson, Donna Arsenault, Tresdon Mills; Junior — Sami Tag; Sophomore — Nate Gamache.
Newcomers: Aiden Gordon, Zac Putnam, Lucas Libby, Kaden Paso, Mark Adams, Jackson Rajaniemi, Vinny Duguay, Miles Smith, Zack Scott, Andrew Crews, Owen Gaugette.
What to expect: The Falcons will focus on getting younger wrestlers more experience while veterans shake off the rust from a yearlong hiatus. Mountain Valley is hoping to peak at the right time for the postseason.
MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Justin Nile (sixth year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Returning athlete: Mason Rowe.
Key losses: Tucker Nichols, Adam Loewen.
What to expect: The Cougars are counting on a handful of newcomers to make Mt. Blue competitive this season.
OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Tony Stevens (13 years); assistant coaches Shawn Dexter, Dawson Stevens
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
2019 results: 21-6, finished fifth in KVACs.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Dillon Worster, Hayden Riley, Jared Bellemare, Bristol Leahy, Cameron Strout; Juniors — Zander Wormwood, Rocco Hayden, Lilly Runs After, Chalmers Russell, Bryce Atkisson.
Promising newcomers: Dawson Mason, Hunter Wormwood, Sybastian Garey, Kendall Kovales, Eitan Afrait.
What to expect: The Vikings are excited to return to the mat and are also looking forward to shaking off the rust after missing out on competing last season due to COVID-19.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
