DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Dana Whittemore (fifth year)
Conference: Independent; Class: B South
Last year’s results: Eighth at regional, 17th at state meet.
Returning athletes: Juniors — Eli Lundus (126), Isaiah Bradeen (220); Sophomore — Andrew Wisecup (285).
Key loss: Curtis Errington.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Kaitlyn Scott, Kyle Lund, Caiden Skidgell, Jayden Patterson, Ethan Olsen, Amelia Mailett, Hunter Emmons, Tanner Bradeen, Giovanni Patterson, Jed Fields.
Season outlook: An influx of freshmen will give the Cougars 10 or more wrestlers at practice each day — a notable improvement over the four to six they have had in recent seasons. Dana Whittemore said Dirigo will gain momentum as the veterans step up and as leaders help guide the 10 freshmen who had winning experiences in middle school.
WINDHAM/GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER/WESTBROOK WOLFPACK
Coach: John Nicholas (fifth year)
Conference: SMAA; Class: A North
Last year’s results: 17-8 (10th in Class A)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Scott Ingalls, Jason Hart (GNG), Brody Simpson (GNG); Juniors — Gavin Tanner, Chris Harvey, Griffin Moreau, Owen Pilsbury, Tyler Worcester; Sophomores — Ayden Cofone, Addison Leger, JJ Stults (GNG), Jameson Hart (GNG).
Key losses: Owen McDuffie (GNG), Zach Davis, Austin Goslant.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Ben Corriveau, Junius Pope, John Lougee (GNG).
Season outlook: The Wolfpack took a step forward last season (program-most dual wins, 17; qualified for state dual tournament; four wrestlers placed at state tournament; and first New England championship placer, Cofone, who placed fifth). That trend has continued already in 2022, as they took first out of 20 teams at the Westlake Tournament in Bath on Saturday. The mix of veterans and newcomers has been working hard with a willingness to learn and improve. The Wolfpack’s goal is to finish in the top four at the dual state meet and improve their finishes in the other state tournaments.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Gary Dolloff (21st year)
Conference: Independent; Class: B South
Last year’s results: 20-4 (regional champion)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Robert Leveillee (182), Zack Putnum (145); Juniors — Aiden Gordon (145), Nate Gamache (138), Lucas Libby (152), Kaden Paaso (170); Sophomores — Vinny Duguay (126), Jackson Rajaniemi (120), Miles Smith (132).
Key losses: Gabe Winson, Tresdon Mills, Jonah Byam, Max Merrill, Grant Carrier.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Richard McWilliams (152), Mark Adams (106); Sophomores — Brody Finnan (285), Owen Gaudette (220), Wyatt Lantieri (160); Freshmen — Savanah Ely (103), Chance Watson (113), Reagan Nisbet (113), Isaac Ricci (132), Remi Gautier (132), Nick McWilliams (132), Anthony Olivas (152), Devlyn Gross (160), Grady Mack (170), Kendrick Williamson (195).
Season outlook: Dolloff said the Falcons have put together a tough schedule and have a goal of improvement for the younger wrestlers and for the veterans to regain their form and become better grapplers, then peak late in the season and again be a postseason contender. Defending state champion Lucas Libby highlights the list of returners.
MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Michael Hansen (first year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A North
Returning athletes: Senior — Jacob St. Pierre; Juniors — Kaden Hewett-Adams, Nick Rowe, Kendall Foster; Sophomores — Stephen Galkowski, Gordon McBean, Jason Bagley.
Key loss: Mason Rowe.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Noah Krzysztofiac; Sophomore — Camren Ryder; Freshmen — Preston Garland, Brooklyn Webber, Grace Allen, Logan Smith.
Season outlook: The Cougars are aiming to finish near the top of the KVAC this season. They also have goals to stay healthy and have multiple champions. First-year coach Michael Hansen said that an increase in wrestlers, including several girls, makes the future of Mt. Blue wrestling look promising.
OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Tony Stevens (14th year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A North
Last year’s results: 21-3 (KVAC champion, A North champion, third at state meet)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Bryce Atkisson, Chalmers Russell; Juniors — Eitan Afriat, Dawson Mason; Sophomores — Hunter Wormwood, Sy Garey, Kendall Kovales.
Key losses: Dillon Worster, Jared Bellemare, Bristol Leahy, Cam Strout, Rocco Hayden, Hayden Riley.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Brady Martin, Carter Hart; Junior — Nolan Hafner; Sophomores — Kaelin Currier, Frank Barton, Devan Carroll; Freshmen — James Terry, Jeremy Turner, Curtis Fogg, Bryce Hazelton, Maliki Sparks, Chris Levesque.
Season outlook: Oxford Hills is on the younger side this year, with, Stevens said, “a good group of freshmen and sophomores” mixed with a “core group of returning wrestlers.” Among the returners is last year’s 170-pound Class A champion Eitan Afriat. Stevens said that the Vikings’ main goal is to improve weekly and wrestle their best in the final four weeks of the season.
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