FOXCROFT — Dirigo knew it would have a tough task at the Class C state wrestling championship, and when it came down to push and shove, Foxcroft Academy simply had too much.
The Ponies scored 188 points to win their third-straight crown.
Dirigo finished second with 158 points, led by a trio of state champions.
The Cougars realized the stakes were high when they ventured into what amounted to hostile territory at Foxcroft Academy, the new host site for the Class C state tourney after last week’s blizzard forced its postponement. It figured to be a two team race between the Cougars and the Ponies from the beginning, and that’s exactly what happened. Dirigo has relied on its depth throughout the season and all 12 qualified wrestlers needed to score on the big stage. From the early matches on, the coaches were checking match results, team points and strategies.
“We closed the gap,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said following wins by Zack White (third at 220) and Cliff Boynton (fourth at 285), who each beat two of Foxcroft’s No.1 seeds in the consolation semi-finals.
“We need some help from our friends, but there are no friends up here,” Gilbert said. “We did place 10 kids.”
Foxcroft neutralized the Cougars by winning two head-to-head matches in the consolation finals.
The Cougars’ state champions included Griffyn Smith (106 pounds), Thomas Barnett at 160 and Nelson Pepin at 182.
Smith started things off by winning a hard-fought 2-0 win against Dylan Hanscom of Dexter.
“I just went out and wrestled hard,’’ Smith, who is 44-0 as a freshman, said. ‘’He was stronger than me, so I couldn’t muscle him and used my legs.”
Dirigo won the Mid-State league and regional titles in post season.
“It feels great,” Barnett said. “A lot of work went in to this and it all paid off.”
Pepin overpowered Corbin Bruce.
“I was nervous and didn’t want to mess up,” Pepin said.
Stewart Buzzell of Monmouth pulled out a fast-paced 9-5 decision over Jesse Hutchinson of Dirigo. They have traded wins against each other throughout the season, including Hutchinson’s 6-5 win in the regional final.
The Cougars’ DJ Webber was a finalist at 170 and Brett Whittemore placed third at 152
Foxcroft had four champions, including Antioni Ayala sticking J.D. Martin of Lisbon, at 113.
Cougars Reilly Lombardi 132 and freshman Gus Brown placed fourth at 120.
Zach Stevens of Lisbon executed a standing escape at the buzzer for 9-8 win against Mike Larson of Calais. Stevens won a state crown at 120 last year.
“I didn’t want it to go in to overtime,” said Stevens, who had a knee up with four seconds left. “I put in a lot of work and my Dad (coach Mark Stevens) pushed me.”
The Greyhounds’ Tyler Bard placed fourth at 138 Foxcroft.
The 14 individual state champions have automatically qualified for the New England championships next month.
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