Maine wrestlers who have qualified for the 49th annual New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championships in Providence this weekend are in for a major challenge as the best wrestlers from across the region will descend on the Providence Career and Technical Academy in Providence, R.I., for the two-day event.
Dirigo champions Griffyn Smith (106 pounds), Thomas Barnett (160) and Nelson Pepin (182) will be among the wrestlers competing.It will be the first time at New Englands for all three wrestlers.
Zack Stevens (132) of Lisbon earned a second trip, while Stuart Buzzell (145) of Monmouth is a first-time participant at the double-elimination tourney.
“Griffyn has gone to so many middle school, pee-wee, New England and national tournaments,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said, regarding performing in a highly-charged atmosphere, “that I don’t think this will surprise him at all. Tom and Nelson are wrestling real well, so let’s see what happens.”
Smith was awarded the top Maine seed in his weight class, which prompted some discussion. Smith is seeded higher then fellow freshmen Peter DelGallo of Gardiner. The Maine Principals’ Association criteria for seeding at the tourney includes having the “best record in class.”
Smith is 41-0, while DelGallo is 19-0 because most of his matches came in the 113-pound weight class.
Pepin (36-3), who executes aggressive throws, could be a contender at the meet, while Barnett is excited for his chance to wrestle against the top contenders in the region.
“It feels great,” said Barnett, who is 42-4 and was a state finalist in 2012. “A lot of work went in to this and it all paid off.”
Last year, Maine wrestlers won seven medals, including a gold medal from Belfast’s Brent Waterman, who won at 132 pounds.
Waterman will not defend his crown because he sprained an ankle the morning of the state meet and did not wrestle.
Fryeburg’s Connor Sheehan (113) has placed fourth the previous two years. Sheehan’s younger brother Zach (120) returns after having won two matches last year.
Maine returned to New England competition in 1999, following a 21-year hiatus and the state’s wrestlers have averaged eight medalists annually.
It has been two weeks since the Maine state meets, so wrestlers have been busy practicing at regional locations, trying to keep up their conditioning and skills, both physically and mentally. The format at the regional tourney doesn’t allow for feeling out an opponent, so typically defensive styles don’t suffice.
Other Maine medalists returning to regional competition include Gardiner’s Dan DelGallo (138), Cody Hughes (152) of Marshwood and Jared Jensen (46-0 at 170) of Brunswick.
Marshwood has the most competitors (six), including four-time Maine champion Tyler Davidson at 120 pounds.
Timberlane, N.H., which scored 77 points a year ago, is the three-time defending team champion.
Belfast (27 points, 21st position) and Marshwood (24 points, 27th position) were the highest ranking Maine teams in 2012.
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