Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance

The Bangor Auditorium is the site for the first ever two-day Maine state wrestling championships as Class A, B, and C grapplers compete on six mats for individual and team honors. Opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., today. Action continues Saturday morning at 9:30 with the championship finals scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Familiar names are expected to vie for the team championships. In Class A, Mt. Blue High School has what many believe the best chance of dethroning three-time defending champion Noble High School of Berwick. Camden Hills High School is favored to defend its Class B crown, while Lisbon High School is the overwhelming pick to repeat in Class C.

Three local wrestlers will attempt to defend state titles. Mt. Blue's Scott Webber (112 pounds) opens the tournament against Marshwood High School's Jake Smith. Teammate Matt Waite (215) faces Brent Armstrong of Deering High School in the opening round while Skowhegan Area High School's Brandon Hamilton (152) goes against Windham High School's Eric Ewing.

Other Eastern Maine A champs in action are: Mt. Blue's Shane Webber (103) and Seth Webber (119), Gardiner Area High School's Taj McKay (135) and Liam Kozma (130), and David Folsom (189) of Skowhegan.

In Class B, Winslow High School's Dan Stace (140) has been a runner up in state competition twice and looks to close out his senior campaign with a state title. Stace will face Chris Randall of Fryeburg Academy on Friday evening.

Monmouth Academy's Aaron Kaluzynski (103) was a Class C state champ as a freshman, but dropped to third place last season. He hopes to reclaim the gold this year and opens the tournament against Ben Boss of George Stevens Academy. Wiscasset's Paul Rines (140) and Matt Reed (145) each won Western Maine C titles last Saturday. Tonight, Rines faces Cory McDonald of Mattanawacook Academy while Reed takes on Caleb Pelletier of Foxcroft Academy.

Admission is $5 per day for adults and $3 for students. Spectators are reminded that no food or beverages can be brought into the Bangor Auditorium.

They'll be plenty of history made hide when the Class A, B and C state wrestling meets are contested Friday and Saturday. The event will be interesting for two reasons because it's the first-ever, two-day event and the initial visit to the vintage Bangor Auditorium.

This is the second-straight year that all three state meets will be completed under the same roof. The venue last year was the Augusta Civic Center and was met with approval by the competitors and 3000 spectators.

The auditorium floor has space for six 30 by 30 feet mats, so each class will use two. The quarterfinals will be held at 5 p.m. this evening and the championship semi-final are scheduled to begin Saturday at 9 a.m.

The 42 wrestlers automatically qualified by placing in the top four, in 14 weight divisions, at the respective regionals last Saturday. The brackets were pre-set, based on the reverse order of individual finishes.

The competition is anticipated to be extremely close with several teams capable of winning it all. The defending champions include Noble in Class A, Camden Hills in B and Lisbon in C.

Mount Blue qualified 10 wrestlers and may have the best chance to upset Noble. The Cougars fell nine points shy last February of dethroning the three-time defending champions. A lot of circumstances will be determining factors, including individual match-ups between the two teams.

"In the state meet there are no easy matches,"Mount Blue coach Nate Phillips said. "I've told the kids that every match is important and you've got to be ready to wrestle for the entire six minutes. Seth Webber is a perfect example because his only loss resulted when he let up in the third period."

Seth Webber (27-1 at 119) a regional champion, was ahead 10-0 but eventually lost to Ken Belanger of Massabesic. The two will face each other tonight.

The Cougars are counting on two-time state champions Scott Webber (112-pounds) and Matt Waite (215), who are both 32-0. Freshman Shane Webber (28-3) and Ryan Hutchinson (29-2 at 140).

Noble (nine) features Kyle Desmarais (103), Adam Hale (119) and Greg Cotreau (125). Westbrook (nine) can't be over looked Nick Levigne (27-1 at 103), Lew Emery (30-0 at 119) and Chris Tracy (29-3 at 215).

Oxford Hills has 2001 state champion Seth McAlister (27-2 at 125) and Ryan Bryce (25-2 at 160).

"Seth is focused as ever, his eyes are on the prize,"Oxford Hills coach Chris Cobbett said. "There are some who say our east region is weak, but the the region is in the same boat. The scores drop off after the top three teams, but we also have some quality individuals."

Ben Goulette (24-0 at 145) of Morse and Brandon Hamilton (32-0 at 152) are each defending state champions.

Mountain Valley met its objective by qualifying 11, however, the wrestlers must score collectively to challenge Camden Hills for the crown. The Falcons have finished second two years in a row.

There are high expectations for regional champions Ian Venskus (23-7 at 103), Travis Child (18-straight wins at 112), Ben Madigan (26-9 at 130) and Kirk Nelson (30-3 at 152). Nelson and Nick Ouimet of Belfast will have a rubber match in the finals.

Venskus and Child will eventually meet Camden Hills wrestlers Jake Rollins and Kyle Sylvester. The Windjammers also have defending state champions Levi Rollins (125) and Chris Resmen (unbeaten at 135).

"We're set up pretty good,"Falcons coach Gary Dolloff said. "The kids are focused and we had some intense practices this week. Camden Hills can be dethroned, but I wouldn't discount Belfast out of the hunt."

Buck Brown (32-1) of Fryeburg will defend his crown at 160. Oak Hill potential medallists are Ben Johnson (125) and Adam Buckingham (275).

Defending Class C state champion Lisbon is in the catbird seat after the entire team qualified for the state meet. The Greyhounds regional champions were Troy Clark (29-4 at 112), Derek Guisto (33-3 at 119, Will Vice (29-6 at 125), Nate Hix (33-3 at 130), B.J. Hamm (34-1 at 135) and Adam Lord (28-5 at 215). Joey Schreiber 32-3 will defend his crown at 189.

Former Monmouth state champion Aaron Kaluzynski (29-2) will contend at 103. The Mustangs Wes Danforth (119), Ryan Audet (130) and Nate Butler 215 could also place.

Dirigo () could play a spoiler and finish in the top three led by 2001 state champion Nick Gurney 37-2 at 160. The Cougars other threats include David Flagg 24-9 at 145, Curtis Brann (152), Derrick Gilbert (27-10), Scott Skibitsky (215) and Richard Williams (19-6 at 275).

"We've got some good shots,"Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. "The pairings could help us, but we won't be shut out. I don't think we'll be able to stay with Lisbon and Dexter."

ROCKPORT - For brothers Levi and Jake Rollins, wrestling is life and life is wrestling.

Those statements may seem simplistic, but they are closer to the truth than one might think.

The siblings have experienced unparalleled success on the mat for years and are important reasons why the relatively young Camden Hills squad may pin down its third straight Class B championship this weekend at Bangor Auditorium.

The brothers already have league and regional crowns under their belts and could win state titles this weekend.

At first glance, Levi and Jake may not look the part of wrestling champions. In this case, at least, looks are deceiving.

One cannot realize how talented the slender siblings - 130-pound Levi and 107-pound Jake - are unless one witnesses their mat magic.

Few wrestlers can more quickly or efficiently dispatch their opponent better than Levi and Jake Rollins. What the brothers lack in visible bulk and strength they make up for with near flawless technique and an unparalleled desire to succeed.

The 5-foot 9-inch Levi, a junior, has compiled a 31-1 record, with 19 pins at 125 this season. Levi's career mark is 101-8. Barring injury, Rollins is on pace to break Tim Boetsch's school career win mark of 126.

The 5-7 Jake, a sophomore, is 31-3, with 17 pins at 103.

Interestingly, the brothers are the first offspring of a former Windjammer wrestler to compete for the team. Their dad, Greg, also wrestled for Camden-Rockport in the 1970s.

The Windjammers have had many brothers on the team, including, to name a few, the Powers, Kellys and Glovers. Few competed on the same team together and none have combined to enjoy the kind of success the Rollins siblings have experienced.

"They both are very skilled, technical wrestlers," said veteran Windjammer coach John Kelly. "Jake probably could have been a champion at 103 last year but he had to wait in the wings of his brother. But when Levi made the move up (to 125), that opened the opportunity for Jake this year.

"They are just the type of kids you never hear complain in practice. Even when things are not going well for them, they do not complain. They work through it. They have a great work ethic.

"They are not real strong, but what they do have for strength they know how to use it by applying technique at the best possible time. Both of them have beaten some quality opponents."

Kelly said the brothers have high expectations. He added that Levi, as a team captain, is never overbearing with his leadership. "He leads by example and when he needs to say something he does."

As a sophomore competing at 103, Levi finished 31-3, with 18 pins, won the state, regional and Atlantic Invitational meets. He was second at KVACs.

As a freshman at 103, Levi was 32-4, with 11 pins. He placed first in the regional and KVACs, second at the states, third at the Atlantic and fifth at the Redskin Invitational.

As a junior high wrestler at Mary E. Taylor Middle School, Levi won two Pine Tree Wrestling League state crowns, finishing undefeated his seventh- and eighth-grade seasons.

As a freshman, Jake only wrestled in six or seven varsity matches.

Jake said he was willing to wait until Levi was finished competing at 103 before taking over in the weight class. "It bothered me a little, but I knew Levi really wanted to win states. I've been waiting all my life for Levi, so what is another year," Jake joked about his freshman year.

Levi said he wanted to stay at 103 last year to have a better chance to place in the New England championships. That did not happen, so, in retrospect, he wishes his younger brother had gotten the opportunity to compete in more varsity matches as a freshman.

Levi said he likes his new weight class because it is closer to his natural weight. "You have to wrestle a little bit differently at 125 because there are stronger kids," he said. "I feel a lot stronger now."

The brothers, who credit coaches John Kelly, Patrick Kelly, Perry Goodspeed and their dad, Greg, for helping them succeed in wrestling, enjoy being known as the grapplers with solid technique.

"(Using) technique usually will win over a stronger kid," Levi said. "Strength does help, but if you know more moves (than your opponent), you usually win."

The siblings said they may look like they formulate a strategy before hitting the mat, but in truth, they improvise as they go.

"You really can't make a plan," Jake said. "Because then you get sidetracked. You are thinking too much. You can't think. It has to be reaction."

The brothers enjoy having each other on the team. "I can always give him some pointers or yell at him," Levi said with a laugh. "It is good to have a younger brother underneath you wrestling. It makes you feel good when he wins. I almost like watching him win more than having me win."

The two cheer each other on. "He is a big influence on me," Jake said of Levi. "I watch how he wrestles and try to be like him. When I watch my weight, whatever he eats I eat. He really helps me out a lot by giving me pointers."

Jake said he really enjoys seeing how confident Levi is on the mat. "I wish I could be that confident," the youngster said.

Levi said he is confident because of all the success he has had and the hundreds of matches he has competed in. "I don't get nervous anymore," Levi said.

The siblings said they still enjoy traveling around New England most summer weekends to wrestle. Levi said it is important to compete in the summer because they see opponents with different styles. It helps the brothers improve their skill.

The siblings want to win state titles this weekend, place at the New Englands and possibly compete for Maine in the longstanding Friendship Series, an annual wrestling exchange between Nebraska and Maine.

The two also enjoy mountain biking. Levi has been part of Camden Hills three straight state championships. Jake was on last fall's title team.

The brothers, also fine baseball players, said mountain biking and wrestling take a tremendous amount of discipline. The two sports are more individual and require a high level of self-motivation.

Jake is quick to point out there are no teammates to substitute for you in either sport. Once you begin a race or match, you are alone.

"Wrestling is such an intense sport and when you win you feel so good," Levi said. "I don't consider it a sport."

"For us, wrestling is a way of life," Jake said.

For the Rollins, it is a good life. Especially when they are on the mat.

At the outset of this winter season, the varsity / prep wrestling team made a commitment: to infuse this community with a varsity attitude. We spoke of an attitude which would carry far beyond the blue padded walls. This varsity approach to daily life meant that in every action you would be a reflection of the best Hyde has to offer. Now clad in Carolina and navy blue warm-ups as you go to meals, proctor 2/4, and attend classes, your presence and impact is scrutinized even more closely. Wes and Alex, four-year wrestlers who entered this campaign knowing that this is their team - and season - to own, have carried that proud torch to all areas of the school. But the true test of our spirit and our commitment is yet to begin.

Our lives are defined by the challenges we choose to meet head on … and by those we choose to avoid. Each afternoon we fog the gym windows in passionate pursuit of our best. Yet there are those in our midst who have not carried this vision beyond the room, ones who have disguised their lack of commitment with their talent or even with their physical effort in the room. Now that their true nature has become more evident in Monday's conscience-clearing bust, we are faced with a challenge: for if your season-long sweat in the room is to mean anything, the strength of our team lies not in its individuals but in the collective efforts of everyone.

Last Sunday's Super Bowl illustrated teamwork at its finest moment. It began with a team, the New England Patriots, who insisted on being introduced as one collective unit. It concluded in a two-minute drill which defined a team which fosters an unyielding belief in each and every player on their roster. This Saturday is an opportunity: some have toiled behind the scenes, perhaps with less limelight; other starters will be challenged to believe in the power of the room to make every one of us a worthy representative of Hyde wrestling.

All season you have voted on who has earned the right to step inside your room. Now by their selfish actions, certain individuals have demonstrated that they have held something back from you - and from giving their best. They have, by their very own actions - or lack thereof, eliminated themselves from this weekend's roster. Next week they will have to opportunity to regain our faith, perhaps even to earn a jacket or a starting position on the Class A roster. But today a select few chanted "together" as we traversed the snow-covered running trail. This weekend belongs to us.

As your coach I have wrestled with my own vision for this home meet, the Northern New Englands. In the end, in all humility, I rest firmly in my belief that the team who best represents Hyde is the one who first represents themselves best. You wrestle as you live; you live as you wrestle. In my twenty-seven years of coaching, I have found no sport which better reflects a person's true character.

This is now a moment which demands the best in each and every one of us. This is our moment. How will we choose to have it remembered?

FARMINGTON-It's no secret that wrestlers are a different breed and Matt Waite is no exception, however, he's fully aware of the mental and physical demands both past and present. The Mount Blue High School senior has already won two state championships, but the mission won't be complete until he steps on the top of the podium at the state meet Saturday night at the Bangor Auditorium.

Waite has been unstoppable this season and is a favorite to win the Class A crown at 215-pounds. He has compiled a perfect 32-0 record, but even more impressive is the overwhelming domination that's applied to each match. The same no-nonsense approach will be utilized when the quarterfinals are contested Friday.

"Yes, I'm on a mission,"Waite said. "I push myself hard and my mind set entering each match is to be aggressive. I don't want an opponent to think that they can beat me, so a message needs to be delivered right away."

These are not idle threats that are intended to intimidate opponents. Instead, Waite uses the thoughts as a self-motivator before each match. The results have been extremely productive because Waite has 30 pins.

"I'm on the mat to get business done,"Waite explains. "The idea is to get things over with as quickly as possible and not waste any extra energy."

Waite had wrestled for Mount Blue as a freshman, but transferred as a sophomore and won a Class C state title at Dirigo in 2000. The Canton resident transferred back to Mount Blue and won another state championship at 189.

This post season has been over powering with three pins each in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championships and regional. In fact, he never went beyond the first period last Saturday and was on the mat a total of one minute and 55 seconds.

The biggest threats in the state meet will be West regional finalists Dick Decato of Noble and Chris Tracy of Westbrook. A potential semi-final match could be against Decato, the defending 215 state champion. If the bracketss pan out, Tracy could be in the finals. Waite decsioned Tracy 6-2 at the Tiger tournament in December.

The match could be of even greater importance because Mount Blue is a contender for the team title again. The Cougars fell nine points shy of dethroning three-time defending champion Noble last year.

"It's hard for me to come up with some thing original about Matt,"coach Nate Phillips said. "I can't really point to a weakness, but a strength that people may not realize, is his quickness. It's deceiving. The heavier wrestlers are usually not known for their (agility)."

"I'm smaller and very use to wrestling against fast opponents. Therefore, my own speed is used as an advantage. I was really surprised when I wrestled against Matt in practice because he is able to shoot in on my legs."

Waite admits that he has learned a lot since placing fourth in the state meet as a freshman. The knowledge received at wrestling camps have helped in developing techniques on the mat. The physical demands are super-seeded by a strong work ethic.

"I still work out after practice,"Waite said. "There's a lot of extra running, plus I've always wrestled with my older brothers Dan and Mike at home. I'm not concerned about not being able to have to go all out for an entire match. Matt Shed who wrestled at Cony comes in and gives me a good challenge."

The extra wrestling partners provide plenty of competition that certainly raises sibling rivalry to the next level. Dan Waite, a two-time state champion, earned All-American honors in 2000 by Wrestling U.S.A. Mike Waite won a state title last season.

"Matt eats and sleeps with wrestling on his mind,"Phillips said. "He's always thinking about his next match and how an opponent is training for it. As a coach that's nice to see because you want a top wrestler like him to remain ready for any thing."

Waite realizes that there's no guarantee and is always saying "on any given day." Friday and Saturday will belong to the Cougar.

Wrestling is a demanding and the competitors must endure the physical and mental aspects being placed upon them at any given moment. The type of student-athlete who chooses to participate in the worlds oldest sport must be willing to sacrifice a piece of them self in order to hopefully succeed.

The rules only permitted males to participate in the state; however, it changed when females were granted the right to step on the mat. The precedent was set by the Maine Human Rights Commission voted 5-0 in the mid-1990s, on a request by Lisa Nowalk of Mount Ararat.

There were people on both sides of the issue, but it didn't deter a few girls from joining some teams. The numbers have decreased, however, this season Heidi Bonerud and Jessica Fox of Monmouth Academy both placed in the Class C regional. It's the first time that two female teammates will compete in a state meet.

Bonerud (18-9 over all) was a finalist at 112-pounds and Fox placed fourth at 125. Ironically, both individuals are wrestling against heavier opponents, in order to compete in their respective divisions.

Bonerud is a natural 103, but she's unable to beat out former state champion Aaron Kaluzynski. Fox was initially certified at 112, but she was unable to get past Bonerud.

"They used to have some interesting wrestle-offs,"Monmouth coach Charlie Fyler said. "The matches were very competitive, in fact some went in to over time. After Heidi had clearly held the 112 spot, I had Jessica recertify at 119."

Fox was behind Wes Danforth, so she was bumped up again. A wrestler is allowed to compete at one weight class above their certification.

Nicole Lemay of Oak Hill will be the first-ever girl to compete in the Class B state meet. The Raiders first-year wrestler was a finalist at 103 in the regional. Last year, Jenn Wormwood of Oxford Hills wrestled in the Class A state meet. Wormwood is a two-time national girls wrestling champion.

They remain behind the scenes and receive little recognition, however, the countless hours provided by responsible managers is vital to a wrestling team. That is exactly how important Kelly Rasama and Jill Wormwood of Oxford Hills have been throughout the entire season.

"On a scale of one-to-10, they are on the very top,"Vikings coach Chris Cobbett said. "They are willing to do tasks at any time and what ever is necessary. The jobs are for the benefit of the team and they allow me to coach."

The tandems duties include washing the mats prior to every practice. During meets and tournaments, they keep the scores for the team book. The results of each competition must be compiled and the paper work must be sent to the Maine Principal' Association.

A team excounters numerous roadblocks during the course of a season and Oxford Hills received a blow last Saturday. The sport is often considered to showcase individuals, but it usually requires a total team effort in a major tournament.

The Vikngs were undermanned last Saturday because Josh Laird (skin irritation) and Dustin Theriault (sickness) were unable to wrestle. Laird, a sophomore, was told by a doctor that he had some thing, so he better cover the area.

"It's to bad things turned out the way it did,"Cobbett said. "Josh wasn't told what the exact problem was and the referees wouldn't allow him to compete. He would have scored some team points and qualified for the state meet."

Oxford Hills still qualified nine wrestlers and fell four points shy of finishing second, again. The champions included Seth McAlister (125) and Ryan Bryce (160). Nate Libby was pinned by John Bursley of Mount Ararat in the 275 finals.

The Vikings James Whittemore and Aaron Gammon were each third at 119 and 145, respectively.

It's been a long nearly a decade, but the Skowhegan program are finding out that all the hard work and sacrifices eventually pays dividends. The Indians scored 122 ½ points to finish second, highest ever, in the Class A East regional.

Skowhegan had developed a salty reputation for unruly behavior and eight wrestlers were on the team. Kurt Wentworth was hired as the coach nine years ago and the main objective was to improve the lack of discipline.

"It's a hard sport,"Wentworth said. "It takes a lot of inner strength for a kid to step on the mat. There's always' a chance that you will lose badly and that can be embarrassing in front of your girlfriend or mother."

The current team, comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores, enjoyed a successful regular season. The momentum carried over to the post season and six individuals advanced to the regional finals. The winners were Brandon Hamilton (unbeaten at 152) and David Folsom at 189.

Hamilton, a junior, won a state championship last year at 130.

"If the kids respoect you as a coach, they will stay with the team,"Wentworth said. "It's important for the kids to see improvement. The strong finish will hopefully allow us to recruit more kids for the program."

An incident occurred near the end of the regional at Dirigo, which has left some observers questioning the final decision. The rules are clearly written to hopefully guard against out bursts, however, the preceding performances certainly tested the merits of sportsmanship.

An illegal move caused a wrestler to be injured, which invoked a reaction by the crowd. The opponent on the mat made a gesture to the crowd about who was number one. The referee saw this and whistled the wrestler for flagrant misconduct; disqualifying him from the tournament. This action prompted a teammate to run over and gesture to the crowd.

"It was the worst case of sportsmanship I've seen in my years of coaching,"Monmouth coach Charlie Fyler said. "The referee made the correct call initially. The rules were being followed, but I don't believe what happened after was handled correctly."

The rulebook states that any appeal, must be made immediately; while the wrestler remains in the center of the mat. In this instance, the final two matches were completed, prior to an appeal being lodged. A closed-door meeting was held, with the coach and officials, in order to discuss the preceding events. When the referee reappeared, he reversed the call. The wrestled was reinstated and is eligible to compete in a state meet this Saturday.

Joe Lawler became the first wrestler from Waterville High School to place in the Class A Eastern Maine tournament when he finished third in the 160-pound weight class on Saturday. Lawler also qualified to represent his school at the state championships, which will be held Feb. 8-9 at the Bangor Auditorium. His teammate, Davis McKenny, finished the day as the alternate to the state tournament the 171-pound class.

All in all it was a good day for Waterville, considering that Lawler and McKenny were the only two athletes representing the Purple Panthers. Waterville does not have an official wrestling program and the two competed as independents.

Lawler and McKenny have practiced and traveled to matches all season with Class B Winslow High School. Given the rivalry of Waterville and Winslow, might there be some friction in the practice room? Not so, according to Lawler.

"The Winslow guys are great," he said. "and the coaches have always treated us like we were part of the team."

The pair didn't have a lot of wrestling experience before this season, although McKenny was part of a middle school program run by the Waterville Rec department as an eighth grader and Lawler had wrestled a bit as a youngster in Tennessee.

Both seniors, they decided that it would be fun to compete this season. They found an ally in Waterville High Principal Scott Phair.

"Mr. Phair was very encouraging and even came to some of our matches at Winslow," said McKenny.

Independents competing and practicing with other schools aren't a rarity in wrestling. Cheverus High School had a two-time state finalist in Rico Minervino, who worked out with Westbrook High School. This season, Brunswick High School and Greely High School had athletes competing in regional tournaments as independents.

Still, McKenny feels that Waterville could field its own team.

"A lot of guys at school are interested in competing," he said.

MCI

On Saturday, Maine Central Institute's David Cavanagh pulled off two of the biggest upsets of the Eastern B championships on the way to the finals in the 119-pound class. Cavanagh entered the day with a 5-11 record and was seeded eighth. In his first match, he knocked off the No. 1 seed from Ellsworth by a 13-11 decision in overtime. Cavanagh followed this performance with a semifinal pin of the fourth seed from Camden Hills High School. His day ended with a loss in the finals, leaving him with the silver medal.

State Championship Tournament this weekend

Final preparations are under way for the state championship tournament this weekend at the Bangor Auditorium. On Friday, weigh-ins will he held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies scheduled to begin at 5. The championship quarterfinals will be held for all classes on Friday night.

On Saturday, starting at 7:30 a.m., all wrestlers must weigh in again. An additional one pound is given for the second day. Championship finals are set to begin at 5 p.m.

In Class A, Western powerhouses Noble High School and Westbrook High School look like the favorites along with Mt. Blue High School. The Noble Knights put seven wrestlers into the regional finals and hope to take home their fourth consecutive state championship under coach Kip Devoll. Mt. Blue put eight into the Eastern Finals and will rely on defending state champs Scott Webber and Matt Waite to add valuable pin points to the team total.

Wells High School surprised many by winning the Western B title over favorite Mountain Valley High School. Neither team may have the depth to stand up to defending Class B champ Camden Hills. Belfast Area High School crowned six individual Eastern Regional champs and could be the dark horse in Class B.

Western Regional champion Lisbon High School is the strong favorite to win the Class C crown. Dexter Regional High School and a surprising Foxcroft Academy team are the strength of Eastern Maine.

Since Dec. 18, winning matches, qualifying for states, and winning team titles have lost a lot of importance for members of the Medomak Valley wrestling team.

That was the day sophomore wrestler Stephen Michaud went down in a heap and landed on his head while grappling with an opponent in a regular season home match against Lincoln Academy in Waldoboro.

"I wasn’t 100 percent sure something was wrong until they started hollering," said first-year varsity coach Phil Genthner. "He had a bear hug on the other kid and they were jockeying around. The other kid kind of slipped his arm up around his head and went back for the trip and when they went down, Steve just hit on his forehead.

"It was a freak injury. I don’t know how else to explain it."

Michaud’s opponent in the 215-pound weight class match immediately sensed something was wrong and didn’t move, despite the fact he and Michaud were tangled together in a heap on the mat.

"It was a lucky thing that the kid reacted the way he did. Most kids would have immediately thrown the other guy off and gotten up," said Medomak Valley athletic director Doug Libby, who retired as the school’s wrestling coach last year after 30 seasons.

"He must have lied there for 15 minutes, but his instincts were right," Libby added.

Michaud damaged his spinal cord and was partially paralyzed. He was transported to Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport and later airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he is currently being treated.

Initially, Michaud was unable to move his arms or legs, but has improved considerably.

"He’s in very good spirits. From day one, he’s told me he’s going to walk out of there. I saw him Sunday and he was pretty decent," Genthner said. "He looked a lot better than last time I saw him because he had the flu with a fever.

"He’s still got some fluid in his legs, but he can move his arms and he’s using the bathroom on his own now. He still has some swelling in his back, I think."

The son of Tammie and Steve Sr. has been going through regular physical therapy, and he told his coach he plans to attend Saturday’s state championship matches at the Bangor Auditorium.

"He’s waiting to get the doctor’s OK, but he’s already got a nurse all set up to bring him in and help him out," said Genthner, who wrestled at Gardiner High School and has been coaching the sport for 15 years.

Michaud’s mother has already told her son he won’t be resuming his wrestling career.

"I don’t blame her. I’m trying to talk him into being a manager next year because the poor kid’s had it rough with us," Genthner said. "Last year, he broke his ribs wrestling and this year he hurt his knee. And just after he came back, this happened. He’s a tough kid."

The Medomak Valley community has been galvanized by Michaud’s injury and has been raising money for the family through bottle drives, public suppers, raffles, and proceeds from concession sales at sporting events as well as simple donations. So far, more than $1,000 has been raised at last count, according to Libby.

"The state wrestling association has put up a request for donations on its Web site and we’re trying to help them out as much as possible," said Libby.

Donations to the Stephen Michaud Fund can be sent to Medomak Valley High School, 320 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, ME, 04572-5816, care of or attention to Doug Libby.

Scholarships for asthmatics

Schering/KEY, the pharmaceutical marketing unit of the New Jersey-based Schering-Plough Corporation, has announced a significant increase in scholarship grants to its annual Will to Win Asthma Athlete Scholarships Program.

The money available to student-athletes has nearly tripled from $35,000 last year to $100,000 in 2002, the 18th year of the program. The money will be awarded to 11 high school seniors who have excelled in athletics in spite of having asthma. The grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 award with four others receiving $12,500 each and six recipients getting $5,000 apiece. Information and applications can be obtained by calling 1-800-558-7305 or logging on to the company’s Web site at www.thewilltowin.org. Deadline for entries is April 30 and winners will be notified in June.

NORTH BERWICK - Massabesic's Matt Lude put the finishing touches on Saturday's Class A West Regional Wrestling Championship meet by pinning rival Pat Begin from Westbrook in the 275-pound weight class.

It was the third pin of the day for the Mustang captain and along with getting the gold medal he also gets the chance for his first look at the Bangor Auditorium and a leg up on fellow captain Tom Metz, the 135-pound champion.

Any wrestler placing fourth or better at Noble Saturday earned the right to compete another week. Survivors move on to the all-class state championship event to be held Friday night and Saturday in Bangor.

Metz and Lude have their own personal pinning race going on and Lude, who sees the end of his wrestling career in sight, has the slight edge as they both shoot for their first individual state titles.

"We're just trying to keep up with each other," the 26-3 Lude said. "I'm ahead now with the pins, somewhere in the twenties." Lude, a state runner-up the past two years, is also on a mission to win the ultimate title before he heads off to technical school.

"I think my wrestling career could be done. We both know what we want to do next," said Lude, one of the lighter heavyweights at 250 pounds. "I do go up against a lot of bigger people sometimes, but I try to use my quickness and strength. I just try not to let them get on top of me."

He expects a week of tough work to get ready. Metz is still unbeaten against Maine competition at 26-0 this winter. They'll each face the fourth-place East finishers in the first round at the state meet.

The Mustangs had a pair of individual champions and Kennebunk, in its first year back in Class A, grabbed another one of the 14 regional wrestling crowns, but Saturday's competition went much deeper than the finals that were held under the spotlight at Noble High.

The host Knights won their fourth consecutive Class A West wrestling crown with 168 points, despite having spent two weeks out of competition after a rash of staph infections hit the team.

Noble, which will now shoot for its fourth Class A state title had two individual winners and four second-place finishers. According to winning coach Kip DeVoll, Saturday was the first time he even had his whole lineup in action at the same meet. Many of the Knights (on the mend from injury or illness) were not their usual dominant selves, but they still had enough muscle to stop top challengers Westbrook (145 points) and Marshwood (125.5).

The Knights added five second-place finishes to boost the point total. Bonny Eagle and Biddeford rounded out the top five. The Scots had a title win by Ben Davis (125 pounds) and the Tigers had a trio of second-place finishers to pile up 92 points.

Kyle Hale won the 112-pound weight class for the Knights with a 4-1 decision over Biddeford's Jim Gaudette and both wrestlers looked drained in the third period.

Hale and the Knights had endured a long layoff and Gaudette is working his way through a sinus infection according to his father and coach Bob Gaudette. Hale prevailed with an escape and takedown in the final 33 seconds.

Joining the younger Gaudette as Tiger finalists were 140-pound Anthony Cincotta and 152-pounder Jimmy Smith. Cincotta also lost a tight championship bout as he was edged 8-6 by Marshwood's Ben Conte. Smith was pinned by Noble's Decota Cotten in 4:45. Smith lasted the longest of anyone against Cotten who had other fall times of :08 and :43.

Although he was a little disappointed at going 0 for 3 in the finals, Coach Gaudette has a young team loaded with potential. The Tigers placed fifth with 92 points.

"There were times when I wished we were a little more aggressive," he said, "but we're young and the goal today was to get people to qualify."

Besides the three finalists, Biddeford leads the local contingent up to Bangor with five qualifiers and two alternates (Brett Given, 145 and Jon Benson, 215). Rapidly improving sophomore Nate Vassill placed third at 103 pounds with an 8-6 win over Massabesic qualifier Corey Gallant. Sophomore Jon Cochrane (125) also took a third, registering three wins by pin.

Marshwood landed four individual champions. Conte took the 140-pound division; Colby Lamson won at 145; Cody Lightfoot won at 189 and Pat Howard got a pin at 4:38 in the 130-pound class.

Lamson beat BE's Ben Chapman in a class where Kennebunk senior Anthony Racaniello took third, Lightfoot topped Westbrook's Mike Spofford who had earned his 100th career win during the afternoon and Howard ended up pinning Sanford's Brian Bourque who called the undefeated Hawk "wicked strong."

Bourque, a junior, has qualified for his third straight trip to the state meet and is one of four Redskins headed for Bangor. Bourque's march to the finals included a pin and a 9-1 decision, but he's not as excited to be going another week as usual.

"Things are different this year," Bourque said, "a lot has happened with my family with my brother (Billy) passing away. I just wish he could be there."

Sanford coaches Mark Hansen and Charlie Caramihalis were hoping to get a handful of qualifiers and they will be taking four competitors to Bangor,

Nick Legere, a state champ two winters ago at 152, went head to head against Kennebunk's Ben Kinerson in the regional finals and came up short against the Rams' talented sophomore.

Kinerson had been the meet's No. 1 seed but had lost an 11-4 bout to Legere at the start of the season.

"It feels pretty good," Kinerson said after working his way to a 6-2 win. "He beat me pretty good the last time."

Legere was second in the state meet last year and Kinerson wound up fourth. They've both jumped up a class, but could very well meet again in Bangor.

Other Kennebunk qualifiers include: Mike Dumas (130), Racaniello, and Chris Seavey, who was fourth at 275. Sanford will also send Peter Wentworth (112) and Chad Edwards (171). Joining Metz, Lude and Gallant from the Mustangs will be Ken Belanger (119) and alternate Brian Pond.

In action at Bath Saturday, Mt. Blue's Cougars piled up 188 points to win the Class A East title. Skowhegan was second with 122.5, followed by Oxford Hills at 119.

YORK - Saturday was Wells wrestling coach Mark Lewia's 41st birthday, and the members of his wrestling team presented him with the best present possible for the occasion, the Western Maine Class B championship, the Warriors first since 1996.

Ten individuals, led by champions Edgar Wallace (135), Corey Brown (140), and Adam Chase (275), will move on to next week's state championship meet, a two-day affair at the Bangor Auditorium which will feature all three classes, A, B, and C, at one place and at one time.

The margain of victory for Wells was a mere one and a half points over defending champ Mountain Valley, 174.5-173. Victory was assured when Chase, the Warriors' senior heavyweight, pinned Oak Hill's Adam Buckingham at the 3:42 mark of their match. Chase had been victorious in their only previous meeting this season, by a 5-0 decision, and was aware that the only way to insure a Wells championship was to record a pin. No pressure, no problem for the senior who has been dominant all season long in his weight class.

Joing the three Warrior champions on the trip to the state's will be second place finishers Malcolm Phillips (125), Dylan Grethe (130), Gale Pauly (145), and Pat Casten (215). Also making the trip will be third place finishers Steven Grethe (112), Matt Witham (152) and Ben Pierce (160).

Waiting in Bangor will be Camden Hills, which easily captured the Eastern crown at Belfast, outpointing the host Lions by a 223-199 score. Winslow was third with 134.5 points. Camden Hills qualified 12 wrestlers for the state meet including five individual champions.

In Class C West action it was defending state champion Lisbon capturing its first regional crown with a 211-143 victory over Dirigo. Kittery's Traip Academy was third with 103 points. Lisbon qualified all 14 of its wrestlers for the event while Dirigo will send 13.

Ten Traip competitors will also make the trip, led by a quartet of second place finishers: Josh Bedard (119), Jake Bedard (125), Bryan Farren (135), and Mike Navarro (140). The Rangers also had a quintet of third place finishers: Mike Embry (130), Tony Reyes (152), Devin Sullivan (160), Ben Ockerbloom (171), and Joe Loehmer (189). Chris German, Traip's 145-pounder, finished fourth, to also qualify.

The top three finishers in the East Regionals, held at Bucksport High School, were Dexter with 204.5 points, Foxcroft Academy with 190, and the host Golden Bucks with 164.5.

The varsity wrestling team traveled to Dirigo Sat. 2/2 to compete in the Class C western Regional.

The team members did a great job representing themselves and are looking forward to the upcoming Northern New England Meet to be held this weekend at Hyde School.

One of the best matches of the day was wrestled by Mike Mulligan @ 171, winning a first round match-up against the number one seed, Bryan Willey of Lisbon. The match ended 15-13 putting Mike into the finals were he placed second, losing 6-2 to a wrestler who had pinned Mike twice before. Mike Mulligan will be representing Hyde at the State meet Feb 8th and 9th in Bangor.

Trent Pool representing Hyde @ 275 came away with a third and Andrew Sylvester @ 152 wrestled to a fourth place finish.

BELFAST (Feb 4, 2002): On Saturday, the Camden Hills Windjammer wrestling team traveled to Belfast to compete in the Class B Eastern Regional Championships and returned as champions for the eighth straight year.

Though their previous record of seven wins in a row would state otherwise, for many reasons this year's team has been considered the underdog and at the same time, the team everyone wants to beat. Belfast and Winslow, this year's second and third place teams, had previously surpassed Camden Hills in head-to-head competition, but on Saturday, both teams came up short against the 'Jammers. And though Belfast did secure more individual regional champions with six of them, Camden Hills secured five individual champions and qualified 12 wrestlers for the state meet to overcome Belfast 223 to 199.

Camden's win was a solid team effort. Though wrestlers like Levi and Jake Rollins and Chris Remsen were more or less expected to win their weight-class because of strong performances throughout the year, and their wins were no less impressive, Camden's success was because every wrestler placed higher than projected compared to the official seeding meeting placements.

In a meeting after the meet, coach John Kelly stated, "We are wrestling our best right when we want to -- at the end of the year."

Throughout the day there were a number of outstanding wrestling matches that kept the Windjammers in first place. In a wrestling tournament, individual wrestlers advance with each win, and as they advance in the tournament brackets the team earns 'advancement points.'

Bryan 'Double O.T.' Creamer, a sophomore 189-pound wrestler had a surprising win in the last seconds of double overtime at the KVAC championship meet last weekend. And this Saturday, 'Mr. O.T.' did it again. As stated by one of Camden's alumni adult volunteer coaches, Aaron Henderson, "To have the confidence to take it to the last moment knowing you can win is a tremendous asset."

Bryan was surprised, as well, that in the second period of overtime his opponent chose the top position. In the second 'sudden-death' 30-second long overtime period, if the wrestling on bottom escapes, he wins, if he doesn't the wrestler on top wins. Usually it is considered easier to escape than it is to maintain control of the wrestler. Bryan escaped four seconds into the period to win his first regional title.

Jake Rand, wrestling at 215, also had a tremendous day. Coming into the tournament he was expected to place near last by the official seeding before the meet, but winning a match in overtime in the semi-final round with a takedown enabled Jake to place a strong second.

Justin Bodamer, at 119 pounds, is a first-year wrestler. Justin, who started the season new to the sport, slowly made gains all year long. To be a first-year wrestler and qualify for the state meet is a huge accomplishment. Justin wrestled tough with some big throws combined with moves that required both skills and some new-found strength helped him make the difference.

Sam Glover, a senior at 160, won his first tournament championship. With this win, it sets him up well for the state meet. Sam, who has wrestled since junior high, had both been behind some dominant wrestlers his first two years and last was befuddled by sickness and injury, turned it on at the right time.

Kyle Sylvester, at 112, earns the right for his first time to wrestle for Camden Hills at the state meet. Kyle wrestled strong to a second place finish but was not able to get the best of Mike Ames, of Belfast, in the championship round though Kyle scored two takedowns in the remaining minutes.

Isaac Read at 130, a senior who had the champion on his back to end the first period, ultimately could not surpass Brian Blackler. In the second period of the championship round, Blackler capitalized on a Read mistake, and first-year varsity Isaac Read finished second.

If any Camden wrestler had some hard luck, it was Cal Pease. Cal, another first year varsity senior at 171, placed a strong third. In the continuing saga of questionable calls against Camden from the Camden Hills' fan perspective, Cal had two bad calls not go his way in the semi-final round where he lost 10-9 to the eventual second place Winslow wrestler.

To clarify, the official scored two points for Winslow for 'taking control' of Pease with a takedown when the wrestlers were in an arguably neutral position. In speaking with the Winslow coach after the match he stated "We [Winslow] got one to got our way that time, but overall the officiating has been inconsistent at best today." The match ended with Pease keeping his Winslow opponent on his back for seemingly a 25 second pin count that was not called in Pease' favor.

Ultimately, Pease would lose 10-9 that match, but he easily won his way through the consolation round to finish third. Cal has a chance at redemption at next Friday's and Saturday's state meet competition in Bangor. Pease had pinned Saturday's 171 pound champion, Wagner, of Belfast, earlier in the year.

Peter Forst, Camden's 145 pounder for the day, found himself wrestling when he had least expected it. With the varsity member not being at maximum weight for this class, Kelly chose new comer Peter Forst to step in. Though Peter was the only Camden Hills wrestler not to qualify for the state meet, Coach John Kelly recognized him for "stepping up, not showing any fear, getting himself ready to wrestling tough, and earning points for the team."

Nathaniel Boehmer (pronounced bur-mer) at 152 not only had the record for most botched pronunciation of his name by the announcer, won three and lost one match to place third. Boehmer is one of three wrestlers who wrestled varsity "a year earlier than otherwise projected," stated Coach Kelly. Nathaniel pinned his way through the consolation bracket, and he was just another Camden Hills wrestler who wrestled tough all day and all season long.

"Senior Joe Zak at 140 seems to be taking turns with winning with Stace of Winslow," said coach John Kelly "next weekend is Zak's turn!" Zak lost to Dan Stace in the finals when he got caught hard in a pinning combination. Previously, Stace beat Zak earlier in the year, only to have Zak overcome Stace in last week's KVAC championship.

For the third time this year, both Rollins', Jake (103) and Levi (125), took home championship bracket sheets -- both winning their weight-class by pin. Jake is in his first varsity season where he wrestled behind his brother Levi last year. Levi was last year's state champion at 103 pounds. Will next weekend be the forth dual-Rollins championships?

With a win in the quarter final round, Levi secured his 100th win in his high school career – as a junior. Dominance.

Chris Remsen, a sophomore team captain and returning state champion. Undefeated all year long, Coach John Kelly said it best: "Will Chris find anyone who can go six minutes with him at the state meet. Maybe if he takes on two at a time!"

Remsen is a tough, quick strong wrestler with tremendous balance and superb work ethic, a super person off and on the mat. What else could anyone ask for? How about state championship number two – in hopes for four titles by his senior year. Remsen is the type of wrestler who can do it.

Camden Hills takes 12 team members to the state tournament. The combined state meet will be a two-day tournament at the Bangor Auditorium starting on Friday at 5:30 p.m., and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Classes A, B, and C will wrestle at the facility.

Camden Hills, Belfast, Mountain Valley, Wells, and Winslow are expected to be at the top of the pack.

YORK, Maine - Sean Bradburn and Mike Cicero of the host York High School wrestling team won Western Maine Class B championships on Saturday, placing first in their respective weight classes.

All told, seven Wildcats will be making the trip to Bangor for next weekend's Class B state meet.

Bradburn (215 pounds) and Cicero (189) each recorded pins in the first rounds of their championship matches. York's Kyle Sullivan just missed on a regional title and placed second at 171 pounds.

Three Wildcats , Collin Brennan (103), Patrick Guisty (125) and Kyle Clark (130) , each earned third place. Eddie Prior had two pins on the day and took fourth at 119 pounds.

Cicero's pin in his championship match took just 20 seconds. Bradburn's came in 1:23.

The Wildcats tied Lincoln Academy for fourth place in the team competition with 95 points. Wells (174.5) edged Mountain Valley (173) for the regional crown. Fryeburg came in third among the nine teams with 105.5 points.

The state meet begins on Friday and will carry over to Saturday.

DIXFIELD, Maine , In Saturday's Western Maine Class C regional at Dixfield, the Traip Academy wrestling team finished third with 103 points. Lisbon won the meet with 211 points, followed by host Dirigo at 143. The remainder of the field was Monmouth (85), Wiscasset (46), Hyde (23) and Boothbay (20).

All 10 Traip wrestlers that coach Larry Dennis brought to Dixfield placed in the meet and will compete at the Class C state meet next weekend in Bangor.

Five Rangers were runners-up in their respective weight classes: Josh Bedard (119 pounds), Jake Bedard (125), Bryan Farren (135), Mike Navarro (140) and Tony Reyes (152).

Mike Embry (130), Devin Sullivan (160) and Joe Loehmer (189) all placed third in their weight classes. Ben Ockerbloom (171) and Chris German (145) earned fourth-place finishes.

"I was impressed," said Dennis. "We have a very young team, and for them to get third is a great accomplishment. I think we'll be in the top four next weekend."

BATH- There are always surprises in a wrestling tournament, however, a team which handles the situation positively will usually succeed and that's exactly what Mount Blue High School to score 188 points in successfully defending its Class A Eastern regional championship. The Cougars, who set the tone early, were spear headed by freshman Shane Webber who maintained his focus to win the 103-pounds championship.

Scott Webber (112), Seth Webber (119), Ryan Hutchinson (140) and Matt Waite (215) also won individual crowns. Mount Blue placed 10 wrestlers for the state meet in Bangor beginning Friday.

The top four wrestlers in each weight division have automatically qualified.

Skowhegan (122 ½ points) finished in second to leap past Oxford Hills who finished third with 119. Seth McAlister (125) and Ryan Bryce (160) had each recorded pins in the finals to give Oxford Hills a short lived three-point lead. Cony 87 ½ was fourth , followed by Gardiner 86 1/2.

Mount Blue iced the title as eight individuals scored approximately 115 points by winning semi-final matches.

"There are always ups and downs in tournaments,"Mount Blue coach Nate Phillips said. "We had suffered some (adversity) when a couple kids were upset in the semi-finals. But Matt Ryan (171) and Shawn Spangler (189) each put it behind them and came back to finish third."

The Cougars Webber brothers were perfect table setters in the finals. Shane executed a reversal with 27 seconds remaining for a 7-5 decision against Eric Beaulieu of Cony. Scott Webber engineered a gulliteen pin on Skowheagan freshman Dylan Wentworth. Seth Webber escaped and then held on for a 5-4 win against Brooks Thompson of Skowhegan.

"That was a big win by Shane,"Phillips said. "He's a young wrestler, but he maintained his composure. We'll need him to repeat that performance in order to beat Noble and Westbrook next weekend."

Waite cruised in pinning three opponents in a combined one minute and 55 seconds. Scott Webber (29-0) and Waite (30-0) are both two-time defending state champions.

Hutchinson used an early five-point move and won a 10-3 decision over Brad Waugh of Cony Hutchinson had beat Waugh in the semi-finals of the KVACs last Saturday.

"I knew that I had to counter him,"Hutchinson said. "I've been working on my takedowns with coach Phillips. I just knew that I couldn't afford to be on the bottom against Waugh on the mat."

Oxford Hills qualified nine wrestlers, led by McAlister who stuck Jing Mai of Cony. McAlister won a state championship at 103 last year. Bryce sunk in a power half nelson to pin Pete Gervais of Mount Ararat. The Vikings James Whittemore and Aaron Gammon were each third at 119 and 145, respectively.

Ben Goulette of Morse decisioned Damian Osgood of Mount Blue 9-3 and 145. Goulette (24-0) is a two-time defending state champion.

Skowhegan champions were Brandon Hamilton 152 and David Folsom at 189.

"I knew we'd do better today,"Skowhegan coach Kurt Wentworth said. "The match-ups were different than at the KVACs and that's a big difference."

Brandon Hamilton (152) of Skowhegan pinned Billy Swihart of Mount Blue.The Indian junior is defending state champion. Gardiner had champions Liam Koza 130 and Tai McKay 135, who stuck Chris Aroujo of Mount Blue.

John Bursley of Mount Ararat pinned Nate Libby of Oxford Hills in the final match at 275.

In a clash of brother schools, in a match featuring many individual highlights on both sides of the mat, today's prep wrestling dual between Hyde-Maine and Hyde-Connecticut ended in a tie. Although Bath improved upon its December showing, the result still left even more to be decided at next Saturday's Northern New England Championships hosted by the northern campus.

The program's two 171-pound captains, Woodstock's Aaron Cahn and Bath's Wes Matheny, opened the day's contests, with Matheny seeking to avenge a December setback. Neither wrestler disappointed the cramped wrestling room audience. The first period ended in a 4-4 tie. In the second period, each traded two reversals apiece with the difference of one point coming on Matheny's takedown following Cahn's escape. In the third, Matheny wore Cahn down, scoring an escape, a takedown, and a nearfall for the final decisive 15-9 advantage. Matheny raised his Class A league record to 8-3 and dropped Cahn's to 9-2, setting up the potential for a third match in the Northern NE finals as the # 1 and # 2 seeds.

Next at 189, Bath's Virgil Buzzell scored 3 takedowns to Bill Boeschenstein's 3 escapes before putting his shoulders to the mat at 4:14.

Virgil improves to 3-1 in the league, 12-4 overall in his first season. Moving up to 215 to help the Bath squad, Mike Goltra earned the first takedown on Joe Gianetti before his Woodstock opponent caught him in an awkward position and moved in for the first-period kill. Lucas Jarvis debuted as Bath's heavyweight but fell victim to Jesse Wang's head and arm takedown to his back. With the forfeit at 103, Bath had fallen behind 18-9 in the team score. But freshman Corey Littman again held the day at 112, bringing us six points closer with a fall over Meaghan Bartlett. Following a second forfeit at 119, Coby Puglisi put Bath back in contention, dominating Dave Fleming (bumped up from 119) before sticking him in the 3rd period. Naturally a 125-pounder, Damion Mathis fought off many pinning combinations from Woodstock's 130-pound Dave Lawver before succumbing with only eight seconds left in the match.

After Woodstock's Brian Dominguez secured Ben Baxter in his stack cradle at 135, Bath was looking up at a 21-36 deficit, but we were far from finished for the day. Captain Alex Rosen began the comeback with a 3:23 fixing of Jason Jung, improving his league record to 6-4 at 140 pounds. Continuing his climb from JV to begin the season, Matt Lemonds again came through at 145, waxing Cody Wexler in the first period. Matt improves his league record to 2-1. Next Danny Wolstein stepped up a weight to 152; his pin of Dave Warnke put Hyde-Maine in the lead 39-36 going into the final bout at 160 pounds. Bath's Dan Bornstein and Woodstock's Tim Rogalski went down to the final ten seconds, with Rogalski's escape making the difference in a 3-2 result which tied the final team score at 39.

There were no losers on this day which celebrated the resurgence of wrestling as a reflection of the Hyde spirit, as evident on the Woodstock campus as in its ancestral home in Bath.

YORK - It should be very comforting for Wells Coach Mark Lewia to know he leads a group that wrestles much better than it sings. Lewia, who turned 41 on Saturday, was given a very off-key "Happy Birthday" serenade by his wrestlers, but only after they presented him with a Western Class B regional championship Saturday.

The Warriors captured their first regional title since 1996 by narrowly dethroning the defending champion, Mountain Valley, 174 1/2 to 173. Fryeburg Academy (105 1/2) took third in the nine-team field, and Lincoln Academy and York (95 each) tied for fourth.

The victory for Wells could hardly have come in more dramatic fashion. It took 275-pound Adam Chase`s pin in the final match, against Adam Buckingham of Oak Hill, to give the Warriors the points they needed.

"We were keeping track the whole time," said Lewia. "We knew it was going to be close. That was a big win."

Wells and Mountain Valley were close throughout. The Warriors took a 5 1/2-point lead into the championship round, but that was immediately erased when Mountain Valley took victories in the 103- and 112-pound matches.

The Falcons extended their lead when Ben Madigan, at 130, pinned Dylan Grethe of Wells in the first of two head-to-head championship bracket matchups between the schools.

Edgar Wallace of the Warriors quickly countered with a 6-0 victory against Chris Smith of Mountain Valley in the 135-pound match.

Mountain Valley earned its last points when Kirk Nelson outpointed Shawn Studholme of Erskine Academy 14-5 at 152, and still held a 4 1/2-point lead heading into the final match of the day.

The Warriors needed no less than a pin by Chase, who said he was aware of the situation.

"I had only beaten him 5-0 during the year, and I knew it was going to be a tough match," said Chase.

Chase built a 4-0 lead midway through the second period, but knowing points wouldn`t be enough, he began to position Buckingham for the pin.

"He tried to switch on me," Chase said. "So I grabbed the arm - it`s a version of the hammerlock - and rolled him."

"We came in with a goal to place as many kids in the top four (qualifying for the state meet) as possible," said Lewia. "(To) win it is icing."

Also heading to Bangor for the state meet next week will be 103-pound freshman Nicole Lemay of Oak Hill.

Lemay, who finished second to Ian Venskus of Mountain Valley, is believed to be the first Western Maine girl to qualify for the state Class B meet.

"It`s going to be a good experience," said Lemay, who started wrestling this year.

Also, David Gregory of Lincoln Academy (119) scored four points in the final 30 seconds to take a 6-3 victory against Chris Fraser of Erskine.

"Eventually what I got him with was the standing switch," said Gregory. "It`s something very basic, but it was something for me to get my points."

Mike Cicero of York needed 20 seconds to pin Richard Chute of Fryeburg Academy in the 189-pound match.

Corey Brown of Wells outpointed Zane Baker of Greely 18-5 at 140. Brown rolled up a 12-0 lead, then had to fend off Baker, who nearly pinned him as the second period ended.

BERWICK - Noble, the two-time defending state champion, put a full lineup on the mat for the first time this season and captured its third consecutive Western Class A wrestling championship Saturday. Meanwhile, Lisbon ended Dirigo`s five-year hold on the Western Class C championship in convincing fashion at Dixfield.

At each site, the top four wrestlers in each weight class qualified for the state tournament next Friday and Saturday at the Bangor Auditorium.

Western Class A scores: Noble 168, Westbrook 145, Marshwood 125 1/2, Bonny Eagle 102, Biddeford 92, Massabesic 69, Deering 64 1/2, Sanford 62, Kennebunk 59, Portland 33 and Windham 9.

Western Class C scores: Lisbon 211, Dirigo 143, Traip Academy 103, Monmouth Academy 85, Wiscasset 46, Hyde 23 and Boothbay Region 20.

All but one of 14 wrestlers scored for Noble.

"They know what they have to do," said Noble Coach Kip DeVoll. "They know it`s not enough to send four guys to the finals. Everyone has to win a match."

Kyle Hale at 112 pounds and Decota Cotten at 152 were the only Knights to capture individual titles.

But Noble, hampered by injury or illness for much of the regular season, qualified nine wrestlers for the state tournament to remain in contention for another state title.

Other individual champions: Nick Lavigne, Westbrook (103); Lew Emery, Westbrook (119); Ben Davis, Bonny Eagle (125); Pat Howard, Marshwood (130); Jon Metz, Massabesic (135); Ben Conte, Marshwood (140); Colby Lamson, Marshwood (145); Ben Kinnerson, Kennebunk (160); Jon Kane, Deering (171); Cody Lightfoot, Marshwood (189); Chris Tracy, Westbrook (215); and Matt Lude, Massabesic (275).

CLASS C: Lisbon, the defending state champion, dominated the lower weights to win its first regional title.

Troy Clark at 112 pounds, Derek Guisto at 119, Will Vice at 125, Nate Hix at 130 and B.J. Hamm at 125 pounds won regional titles for the Greyhounds. Adam Lord also captured a regional title at 215 pounds.

All 14 Lisbon wrestlers qualified for next weekend`s state championship meet.

Dirigo will send 13 wrestlers to the state meet, including regional champions Curtis Brann at 152, Nick Gurney at 160, Derrick Gilbert at 171 and Mike Williams at 275

BATH - The Webber brothers led Mt. Blue to its second consecutive Eastern Class A wrestling championship Saturday. Also, Camden Hills turmed back a stiff challenge from Belfast, which hosted the meet, to claim its sixth consecutive Eastern Class B title.

And at Bucksport, Dexter captured its fourth Eastern Class C championship in five years.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class qualified for the state tournament next Friday and Saturday.

Eastern Class A scores: Mt. Blue 188, Skowhegan 122 1/2, Oxford Hills 119, Cony 87 1/2, Gardiner 86 1/2, Morse 61 1/2, Mt. Ararat 59, Brewer 55 1/2, Nokomis 38, Waterville 16 and Brunswick 3.

Eastern Class B scores: Camden Hills 223, Belfast 199, Winslow 134 1/2, Caribou 76 1/2, Ellsworth 73 1/2, Medomak Valley 70, Old Town 64, Maine Central Institute 40 1/2, Hermon 30, Mt. Desert Island 17 and Mt. View 6.

Eastern Class C scores: Dexter 204 1/2, Foxcroft Academy 190, Bucksport 164 1/2, Penobscot Valley 80, George Stevens Academy 64, Woodland 62, Madawaska 60, John Bapst, 36, Mattanawcook 27 and Calais 17 1/2.

EASTERN A

All three Webbers won their weight class to help Mt. Blue finish with its big cushion.

Shane Webber at 103, Scott Webber at 112 and Seth Webber at 119 claimed individual titles for the Cougars, who qualified nine wrestlers for the state meet. Ryan Hutchinson at 140 and Mike Waite at 215 also won titles for Mt. Blue.

Other individual champions: Seth McAllister, Oxford Hills (125); Liam Kozma, Gardiner (130); Taj McKay, Gardiner (135); Ben Goulette, Morse (145); Brandon Hamilton, Skowhegan (152); Ryan Bryce, Oxford Hills (160); Jeff Madden, Brewer (171); David Folsom, Skowhegan (189); and John Bursley, Mt. Ararat (275).

EASTERN B

Brothers Jake Rollins at 103 and Levi Rollins at 125 pinned opponents in the championship finals to help Camden-Rockport, the defending state champion, finish ahead of Belfast.

Chris Remsen at 135, Sam Glover at 160 and Bryan Creamer at 189 also won individual titles for the Windjammers, who qualified 12 wrestlers for the state meet.

Six Belfast wrestlers won titles: Mike Ames (112), Norman Gilmore (119), Dustin Armstrong (145), Nick Ouimet (152), Eric Wagner (171) and Devin Potvin (215).

The other individual champions: Bryan Blackler, Medomak Valley (130); Dan Stace, Winslow (140); and Jon Judkins, Caribou (275).

EASTERN C

Six Dexter wrestlers captured individual titles to help the Tigers reclaim the regional title they lost a year ago.

Winning titles for Dexter: Chris Barkac (103), Keith Thompson (112), Kevin Armstrong (145), Aaron Thomas (152), Ben Pomelow (160) and Mike Burton (215).

Other individual winners: Billy Romanelli, Woodland (119); Ryan Whittemore, Foxcroft Academy (125); Dave Maguire, Bucksport (130); Josh Pelletier, Bucksport (135); Adam Bourgoin, Bucksport (140); Keith Champion, Penobscot Valley (175); and Trey Merrill, Foxcroft Academy (275).

BATH - As expected, Mt. Blue High School dominated the competition at the Eastern Maine high school wrestling championships. The Cougars sent eight wrestlers to the finals and ran away with their second consecutive title under coach Nate Phillips. Mt. Blue scored 188 points for the win in the 11 team field.

Skowhegan Area High School finished in second place with 122.5 points narrowly edging Oxford Hills (119) for the runners-up plaque. Cony High School (87.5) and Gardiner Area High School (86.5) rounded out the top five.

The Webber brothers got Mt. Blue rolling with three straight wins to begin the finals round. Shane (103) scored a two-point reversal with 30 seconds left in the third period to break a 5-5 deadlock against Cony's Eric Beaulieu. Webber held on to Beaulieu to get the 7-5 win. Scott (112) won his third Eastern Maine title by pinning Skowhegan's Dylan Wentworth in the finals. It was Scott's third pin of the day. Seth (119) completed the sweep by beating Skowhegan's Brooks Thompson, 5-4.

Ryan Hutchinson (140) evened his season series with Cony's Brad Waugh at two wins apiece with a 10-3 championship victory. Hutchinson showed explosive power by taking Waugh directly to his back with two single leg lifts. The win was Hutchinson's second consecutive Eastern Maine title.

Matt Waite cruised through the 215-pound class with three staight pins to round out the Cougars championship wins. None of Waites opponents survived the first round.

Chris Aroujo (135), Damian Osgood (145), Billy Swihart (152), finished second for the Cougars, while Matt Ryan (171) and Shawn Spangler (189) placed third.

Skowhegan got championships from Brandon Hamilton (152) and David Folsom (189) but needed help from Mt. Ararat to secure their second place finish. Mt. Ararat's John Bursley victory by pin over Oxford Hills' Nate Libby at heavyweight in the last match of the day cinched Skowhegan's position.

"We knew coming in that we couldn't touch Mt. Blue," said Skowhegan coach Kurt Wentworth, "they just have too many good athletes."

Wentworth pointed to Dean Redlevske's semifinal pin of Mt. Blue's Matt Ryan as being a key win for the Indians.

"Everything else turned out pretty much as planned," he said. Skowhegan sent a total of six grapplers to the finals, getting second place finishes from Redlevske, Wentworth, Thompson, and Chad Flannery (215).

The upset of the day came in the 189-pound class where Cony's fourth-seeded Joey McInnis pulled out a 10-8 semifinal win over Mt. Blue's top-seed Shawn Spangler. McInnis finished in second place along with teammates Beaulieu, Waugh, and Jing Mai. Mai lost to Oxford Hills' Seth McAlister by pin in the 125-pound final.

Gardiner's Liam Kozma (130) and Taj McKay (135) each took home gold medals. Kozma met a familiar foe in the finals in Nokomis's Pat Morse. Kozma lost a 6-4 overtime decision in last season's state championship consolation finals to finish in fourth place. Today, Kozma scored twice with cradles in the first period and hung on for a 6-2 decision.

"He was strong and controlled the neutral position" said Kozma.

McKay won his title with a third period pin over Mt. Blue's Chris Aroujo.

Other champions were Morse's Ben Goulette (145), Oxford Hills' Ryan Bryce (160), and Brewer's Jeff Maddin (171).

EASTERN B

Dan Stace pined Joe Zak of Camden Hills High School at 50 seconds to win the 140-pound title to help Winslow High School finish third in the regional championship in Belfast.

Camden Hills won the team title with 223 points. Belfast Area High School was second with 199 points. Rounding out the top five were Winslow (134.5), Caribou High School (76.5), Ellsworth High School (73.5). Maine Central Institute finished eight with 40.5 points.

For Winslow, Derek Folsom, Andy Young and Dan Burke also reached the championship round. Folsom was pined by Chris Remsen at 1:08 in the 135-pound class; Young was lost to Eric Wagner of Belfast, 10-4, in the 171-class; and Burke lost to Jon Judkins of Caribou, 8-7, in the 275-pound class. Justin Nesbitt (112), Peter Lee (119), Ken Roy (160) and Chris Desrosier (215) all won in the consolation finals for Winslow.

Jake Lasselle of MCI won the 135-pound consolation final.

WESTERN B

Ben Johnson pinned Malcolm Phillips of Wells High School as Oak Hill High School finished sixth in at York High School.

Wells won the team championship with 174.5 points, followed by Mountain Valley (173), Fryeburg (105.5), Lincoln (95) and York (95) in the top five.

Nicole Lemay (103) and Adam Buckingham (275) also reached the championship finals for Oak Hill. Lemay was pined by Mountain Valley's Ian Venskus and Buckingham was pined by Wells' Adam Chase.

For Erskine, Chris Fraser lost in the championship finals to David Gregory of Lincoln Academy in the 119-pound class. Roman Gosselin won the 140 pound consolation final, pinning Chris Randall of Fryeburg Academy at 2:48. Andrew Grenier lost in the consolation finals to Ben Pierce of Wells in the 160-pound class.

WESTERN C

Aaron Kaluzynski pinned Lisbon High School's Charlie Stambach at 3:05 to win the 103-pound championship as Monmouth Academy finished fourth at Dirigo High School.

Lisbon won the team championship with 211 points, with Dirigo finishing second (143), Traip third (103), followed by Monmouth, Wiscasset (46), Hyde (23) and Boothbay (20).

Will Vice (125), Nate Hix (130), B.J. Hamm (135) and Adam Lord (215) all won titles for Lisbon.

Also for Monmouth, Heidi Bonerud reached the 112 final, losing to Clark, and Ryan Audet reached the 130 finals. Audet was pined by Hix. In the consolation round, Wes Danforth defeated Dwight Millet of Dirigo in the 119-pound class; Mike Boulette defeated Tony Smith of Dirigo in 135; and Nate Butler won the 215 class by forfeit. Jessica Fox lost in the consolation finals to Dana McKeen of Dirigo.

For Wiscasset, Paul Rines defeated Mike Navarro of Traip, 9-3, to win the 140-pound title and Matt Reed pined David Flagg at 5:31 to win the 145-pound championship.

The Lisbon High School turned in a total team effort as the Greyhounds scored 211 points to win their first-ever Class C Western wrestling regional championship Saturday.

Lisbon was a heavy favorite and went on the offensive early. The Greyhounds were led by individual champions Troy Clark 112, Derek Guisto 119, Will Vice 125, Nate Hix 130, B.J. Hamm 135 and Adam Lord 215. The defending state champions qualified all 14 wrestlers for the state meet. The top four individuals will compete in the two-day event beginning Friday evening at the Bangor Auditorium.

Dirigo (143) finished second, paced by champions Curtis Brann (152), Nick Gurney (160), Derrck Gilbert (171) and Richard Williams (275). The Cougars won the previous six regional crowns since its inception in 1996.

"I’m extremely pleased," Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. "It was a total team effort in winning regionals for the first time. The kids worked hard, including Mitch Harmon (140) and Josh Dubois (145), who placed third after beating kids who they had lost to all season."

Clark started a string of five-straight pins by Lisbon in the finals. Clark and Hix stuck Monmouth teammates Hedi Bonderud and Ryan Audet. Guisto, Vice and Hamm. Ryan Willey was third at 171.

The Greyhounds Joey Schreiber who lost by injury default at 189, and Jamie Englebert (275) were finalists. Ron Bonsaint of Lisbon was pinned by Brann, but Lord avenged the loss by sticking the Cougars Scott Skibitsky.

Gurney won a 9-2 decision over the Hounds’ Rob Hespe. Gurney won the 2001 state crown at 145.

The Cougars’ Derick Gilbert decisioned Mike Mulligan of Hyde 6-1 in the 171 finals. Coach Doug Gilbert and his son Derrick competed with heavy hearts because Gilbert’s father passed away Wednesday.

Wiscasset champions were Paul Rines (140) and Matt Reed (145). Rines pinned David Flagg of Dirigo.

The Cougars’ Anthony Garcia 103, Eli Johnson (112) and Dana McKeen125 were each third.

"It was an interesting day," Gilbert said. "Lisbon placed 11 in the finals and were simply too tough. My top six kids wrestled really well and the some younger kids placed well."

Aaron Kaluzynski (103) was the lone champion from Monmouth. Kaluzynski, who won a state title in 2000, pinned Charlie Stambach of Lisbon.

The Mustangs (85) qualified seven wrestlers, including thirds from Wes Danforth (119), Mike Boulette (135) and Nate Butler at 215. Chris Brown, a Boothbay student, won the 189 match by injury default.

NORTH BERWICK, Maine - Not even a two-week layoff and a rash of staph infections could keep the Noble High School wrestling team from claiming its fourth straight Western Maine Class A regional title.

The Knights weren’t their usual dominant selves with only two wins on Saturday, but Noble more than made up for it with five second-place finishes that boosted it to a team-total of 168 points. Southern Maine Athletic Association co-champ Westbrook finished second with 145 points.

"We really didn’t wrestle that well today," Noble coach Kip Devoll said. "Those two weeks off affected our performance a lot, but the team still knew what we needed to do and sucked it up."

The Knights will be seeking their fourth straight state championship next Saturday in Bangor.

Prior to Saturday’s tournament, the Knights hadn’t competed in two weeks due to an outbreak of staph infections on the team. It also kept the team from practicing until Monday.

Kyle Hale, who won the 112-pound weight class for the Knights with a 4-1 decision, said the layoff definitely had an impact on his match.

"That week off just killed me because I was dead," Hale said. "In the third period I thought this is it, whose going to go to the states against (Mt. Blue’s John) Weber?"

Decota Cotten was the other Noble winner, with a pin at 4:45 in the 152-pound weight class.

The school that actually garnered the most wins was Noble’s neighbor to the south, Marshwood, with four. Ben Conte took the 140-pound division with an 8-6 decision; Colby Lamson won 145, with a 15-10 decision; Cody Lightfoot won at 189, with an 18-3 decision; and Pat Howard got a pin at 4:38 in the 130-pound class.

"I knew it was going to be tough. What I was going for was pinning my way through the tournament," Howard said.

Marshwood, however, had a great disparity in its finishes. Matching its four first-place finishes were four fourth-place finishes with none in-between. That was good enough for 125½ points and a third-place showing.

"This was a good team effort," Marshwood coach Matt Rix said. "We’ll work on (the fourth-place finishes) for next week."

The top four finishers in the regionals qualify for the state tournament, slated to be held next weekend in Bangor. Also qualifying for the Knights with second-place finishes were Paul Desmarais (103), Greg Croteau (125), Travis Bentley (135), James Cotten (171) and Dick DeCato (215). Adam Hale finished third at 119 with an 11-7 decision and Kyle Fitzgerald took fourth at 160.

Going to the state meet fourth-place finishers from Marshwood are Jake Smith at 112, Greg Griffin at 125, Noah Conte at 160 and Jon Brooks at 171.

Rix is hoping some of those fourth-place finishes will be changed to thirds, or possibly seconds next week. He believes the talent pool in Western Maine is the best from the entire state, so a No. 4 seed from there has a good chance of pulling off an upset at the state tournament.

"Those fourth-place finishes could be sitting better than third up there," Rix said.

As for Devoll, he’s going to concentrate most of his efforts on getting the kids back in shape. The Knights’ season has been extended for another week, and he wants to make sure he utilizes it the best way possible.

"We’re going to be working hard for the next four days," Devoll said. "We’ve got a legitimate shot at winning states. Getting them to place will be the key."

Class	Region	Team	Region	Team
A	West:	Noble	East:	Mount Blue
B	West:	Mountain Valley	East:	Camden Hills
C	West:	Lisbon	East:	Dexter

There will be a lot of circumstances on the line when wrestlers compete in their respective regional wrestling meets at various sites throughout the state Saturday. The names have changed some, however, Mount Blue and Mountain Valley High Schools certainly have the depth necessary to successfully defend championships in Class A East and Western B, respectively.

A changing of the guard is expected in the Western Class C because Lisbon has clearly settled in to the favorites role. Still, the Greyhounds are aware of the potential ramifications after coming up short in the regionals last February.

The regionals present a dose of additional pressure because the teams had to scramble for practice, after classes were cancelled Friday. The top four individuals in each weight will be bracketed against opponents from another regional in the respective state meets next week in Bangor.

Lisbon will be in a foul mood after having been upset in its league tournament last weekend. The Greyhounds, defending state champion, strengthened their schedule and were in the spot light this season. It's fully expected the team will qualify 14 wrestlers in today's competition.

"I'm confident,"Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. "But, in order for us to win we'll have to draw the least amount of byes. We had all of our 13 wrestlers earn medals at (Mid-States), but we fell just shy in team points."

Lisbon will have plenty of quality led by state champions Nate Hix (21-6 at 130), B J Hamm (31-1 at 135) and Joey Schreiber (30-2 at 189). Jamie Englebert (275), who broke a leg in football last fall, will benefit from being able to practice this week.

The Greyhounds depth will be a key with Troy Clark (26-4 at 112), Derek Guisto (30-3 at 119), Will Vice (26-6 at 125), Ryan Willey (23-7 at 171) and Adam Lord (25-5 at 215).

"They'll be some key match-ups,"Stevens said. "Jamie Englebert will be ready and a dark horse for us for us will be Ron Bonsaint who could be the number one seed at 152."

Dirigo is the lone team with enough depth to challenge for the championship. The youthful Cougars have a strong tradition to uphold, which includes six-straight regional crowns. Senior Nick Gurney (35-2) will be solid at 160 and David Flagg has the advantage at 145. Scott Skibitsky (215) will have plenty of confidence after beating Lord last Saturday, but Nate Butler of Monmouth is also a threat.

Dirigo can expect strong efforts from Jamie Bedard (140), Curtis Brann (152), Derrick Gilbert (171) and Richard Williams (275). The keys may be the performances of Anthony Garcia (103), Eli Johnson (112), Dwight Millett (119), Dana Mckeen (125), Sonny McPherson (130) and Jason Capponi (189).

"Lisbon is obviously the favorite,"Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. "But we are the defending champs and we're home. We have a full team and expect to qualify all 14, but we've had to stress how import it is for the kids to place in the top four in order to go to states."

Monmouth has defending champion Aaron Kaluzyniki (27-3 at 103), Heidi Bonderud (112), Wes Danforth (119), Ryan Audet (130) and Mike Boulette (135).

Mountain Valley has the depth necessary to three-peat and anticipate qualifying at least 11 individuals. The Falcons are solid with Ian Venskus (103), Travis Child (112), Ben Madigan (130), Kirk Nelson (152) and Craig Fergola (171).

Several key match-ups are looming between Jason McPherson and Buck Brown (30-1) of Fryeburg at 160, Jason Provencher (189) and Richard Chute (23-6) of Fryeburg. The Falcons Matt Thurston will battle Sean Bradbum of York at 215.

"This is the second of three steps for us,"Falcon coach Gary Dolloff said. "We'll need to wrestle hard as a team to win the title again. Another key is to qualify as many as high as possible. We'll need that in order to set us up for the state meet."

Oak Hill could be a surprise with Tony Collins contending at 135. Adam Buckingham (23-1 at 275) will try to avenge his lone loss against Adam Chase of Wells. Tom Mango of Fryeburg could disrupt the proceedings.

Oak Hill features Nicole Lemay (103), Ben Johnson (125) Isaac Lewis (152) and Schlyer Gagnon (189). Fryeburg could finish strong with juniors Chris Royal and Andy Davis at 152 and 171, respectively.

'We've had a rough road schedule,"coach Jeff Brown said. "There have been two two-day tournaments and they've taken a toll on the kids. Several are sick, but we've had the entire week to get ready for the regionals and qualifying at least six is a feasible number."

Mount Blue has high expectations and will have clear sailing in Bath. The Webber brothers Shane (103), Scott (112) and Seth (119) will each earn titles. Matt Waite (215) can't be stopped and Shawn Spangler is solid at 189. Matt Ryan has a shot at 171 and Damian Osgood (145) will have to get past Ben Goulette (21-0) of Morse.

Seth McAlister (125), a defending state champion, will help lead Oxford Hills to another second-place finish. The Vikings also have contenders James Whitimore (119), Chris Denlinger (130), Josh Laird (135) and Ryan Bryce (160). Others to watch include Brad Waugh (140) of Cony, Brandon Hamilton (152) of Skowhegan and John Bursley (275) of Mount Ararat.

The wrestling season is steaming towards its conclusion and local grapplers are preparing themselves for this weekend's regional meets. The Western Class A regionals will be held at the new Noble High School in North Berwick on Saturday starting at 9:30 a.m. The Knights have won three straight A team titles and hardly need home mat advantage, but they'll have it this weekend. The Western Class B regional meet will be held at York High School, also on Saturday.

The top four finishers in each class move on to the state meet the following weekend at the Bangor Auditorium.

Both class A and B will hold their seeding meeting tonight. While there is a set criteria for determining the seeds, all of the coaches will be on hand to argue for their wrestlers and plead their cases for those coveted top seeds. As for the wrestlers, they will be preparing this week in practice to do their arguing on the mats come Saturday.

"The pace is going to start to pick up," Wells' senior captain Edgar Wallace said. "This week is going to really count and next week (the state meet) will count even more, so we're going to start picking up the pace a little bit more as far as the team goes. But besides that, this weekend should be pretty fun, I'm looking forward to it."

Wallace was sidelined earlier in the year with a drastic case of cauliflower ear. He had to watch from the sidelines of the Atlantic Invitational in Wells with gauze wrapped around his head and ear, looking like a wounded Civil War soldier. But Wallace is completely healthy now and will almost assuredly be the No. 1 seed in the 135-pound division in Class B.

"I'm not going to expect to walk over everybody, but at the same time I'm looking a little bit ahead to states," Wallace said. "There will be some good wrestlers there this weekend and I might have some close matches and I'll wrestle hard, but next weekend is what really matters for me."

The Warriors, who finished third in the regional meet last year, are coming off a second place finish in last weekend's Western Maine Conference tournament and the team seems to be peeking at the right time.

"I think as far as the team goes, we're going to be pretty fired up," Wallace said. "The other tough team besides us is Mt. Valley, and if it comes down to it, I know we can beat them. If we wrestle like we've been wrestling, I know we can beat 'em, there's no doubt in my mind."

Wells' Adam Chase, who finished fourth in the state last year, will surely be the No. 1 seed at 275. Seniors Gale Pauley (140) and Dylan Grethe (130), both of whom missed the WMC meet, will both be considered for the top seed in their respective weight classes.

Biddeford will enter the Class A regional as the top local team, but they will face stiff competition for team honors, particularly from Noble, Westbrook and Marshwood. One of the Tigers' junior captains, Jim Gaudette, talked about how his team will prepare for the end of the season.

"This week I think that a lot of guys who think that they'll definitely get to states, they're going to go real hard and not worry about being tired for regionals," Gaudette explained. "I think we've worked hard enough all year that we won't get tired if we work hard all week. And then we might take it a bit easier on states week."

Junior Anthony Cincotta of Biddeford, second in the state last year, will be the top seed at 140. Biddeford's Jim Smith (152) and Jon Cochrane (125) will most likely get second seeds. Gaudette's seed in the 112-pound class will be one of those up for debate. Kyle Hale of Noble has beaten Gaudette twice and will most likely get the No. 1 ranking, but Gaudette and Sanford's Peter Wentworth have split their four matches this year, each pinning the other twice. They will probably see each other again on Saturday, with the winner most likely facing Hale, and Gaudette feels good about his chances.

"Personally, I really think I can get first," Gaudette, son of coach Bob Gaudette, said. "I feel like I've been working hard and I've gotten the chance to wrestle them enough to know that it could go either way. And I think if I put all I got into it, those matches should be mine."

Another Sanford wrestler whose seed will be highly debated is senior captain Nick Legere. Legere, the 152 champion in 1999-00 and the runner up at 152 last year, has moved up to 160 and is in a triangular seeding debate with Kennebunk's Ben Kinerson and Marshwood's Noah Conte. Legere has beaten Kinerson, but has lost twice to Conte, while Kinerson has beaten Conte twice. Along with Wentworth and Legere, the Redskins will be well-represented on Saturday by junior Chad Edwards, who was third in the state last year at 160, but has moved up to 171 this season.

As for Kennebunk, the Rams are making the jump from Class B to Class A, a jump that, according to Kennebunk coach Aaron Germana, is a big one.

"Personally, I feel that A west is the toughest class in the state, followed by B west," said Germana, who has coached in eastern Maine as well.

Mike Dumas of Kennebunk (130) will probably get a No. 3 seed, as will Rams' senior Chris Seavey at 275, behind Matt Lude of Massabesic and Pat Begin of Westbrook. Lude defeated Begin last weekend and will be the favorite to claim the regional heavyweight crown. Teammate Tom Metz (135), the only person to defeat Wallace this season, will also be the favorite in his weight class. Metz has lost only one match all year, and that was to an out-of-state wrestler at the Redskin Invitational.

RUMFORD - The path to success can be a long and winding one. And no one knows that bettter than Kirk Nelson, who has certainly paid his dues.

But now the Mountain Valley High School wrestler is focused on winning a Class B state championship.

Nelson has won 30 of 32 matches at 152-pounds so far this season. The results include a dominating performance in winning the Mid-State League championship last Saturday. Although the recent accomplishment is admirable, Nelson and the Falcons are keeping things in proper perspective.

"I set some goals for this season," Nelson said. "I felt I’d do well because most of the competitors who finished ahead of me last year were gone. Being able to win states is a goal, but I’m also hitting other goals along the way."

Nelson and two-time defending champion Mountain Valley are favored to win regional crowns this Saturday at York. The Falcon junior has additional incentive after having advanced to the finals last season.

Although nothing is guaranteed, Nelson firmly believes the trials and tribulations encountered up to this point are assets.

Unfortunately, a set back earlier this season might have actually been a turning point. Nelson advanced to the finals of the McDonalds tournament, but entered the match unprepared for action. He was pinned by Nick Ouimet of Belfast in one minute and three seconds. It proved to be a valuable lesson because Nelson was inspired to develop a new approach to the competition.

Exactly two weeks later, Nelson devised a new battle plan and earned revenge by pinning Ouimet in 1:06 to win the Atlantic Invitational championship. Nelson was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. The potential rubber match between the two is anticipated in the finals at the state meet in February.

"The loss was largely mental," Nelson said of the McDonalds tournament. "Ouimet had beaten me last season also, so I didn’t know what to expect. After that, I went back to practice and worked even harder. Coach (Gary) Dolloff has always been there to push me. In the Atlantic, I was pumped and determined. I knew (Ouimet) would be confident and shoot in, sure enough he did, so I countered the move."

The learning process initially began when Nelson was encouraged to try wrestling by teammate Jason McPherson in the seventh grade. Nelson didn’t have much success in junior high, but he caught the fever and decided to continue with the sport. He heightened his skills by attending summer camps in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

"Things were different when I came to high school,"Nelson said. "There were more moves that I learned from coach (Jerry) Perkins. I gained more confidence in my own abilities."

There are always peaks and valleys throughout a career, and Nelson pointed that out at match as a freshman.

In junior high, he lost to David Flagg of Dirigo. The rematch proved to be a different story when Nelson beat the Cougar wrestler.

"I knew after the first month of practice that Kirk was for (real)," Perkins said, who has since retired. "He knew the difference between pain and injury. That’s important (characteristic) to be able to distinguish and Kirk would listen to what was being taught."

Nelson continued to improve last year and compiled a 29-10 record. Unfortunately, the season ended prematurely because Nelson was shut out in the state meet.

"Kirk is the kid you want on the mat because if the team needs a pin he’ll get one," Dolloff said. "He’s smart and stays within himself. He has the best cross face (moves) I’ve ever seen, but he doesn’t rely on it because he’s willing to try single and double-leg takedowns."

Still, the results of another match provided him with a dose of reality. Nelson bumped up to 160 and was stuck by defending Class C state champion Nick Gurney of Dirigo.

"That really surprised me," Nelson said. "I had come close against Gurney in the Mid-State League finals last year. In the match this time, it was a lot different and he over powered me. That match was difficult, but my goals this season is still to win leagues, regional and states."

The post season actually began last Saturday with league and conference tournaments, with the individual and team results, having provided a double-edged message to the competition. The mission was to finish on a positive note, however, in any athletic environment there's always potential to come up short of a quest.

On the other end of the spectrum are those wrestlers who battled through previous adverse situations. Hopefully, the opportunity exists to utilize that feeling as a momentum boast for the remainder of the season.

Ryan Audet of Monmouth Academy has experienced first hand that perseverance eventually pays dividends. The ordeal has taken a long time to prosper, but Audet realized a dream by winning A Mid-State League championship at 130-pounds.

The win was monumental because Audet has stayed with the sport, despite being academically ineligible the previous two seasons. The junior has refocused his efforts and his performances last weekend may have been a springboard for future successes.

"The wins will hopefully be a confidence boaster,"coach Charlie Fyler said. "I've been telling Ryan all year that he could do it. He's been come on lately and Saturday really showed to himself and others what he's capable of doing."

Audet trailed 7-4 entering the third period of a semi-final match against William Vice of Lisbon. The Mustang wrestler executed a reversal and a three-point near fall to win 9-7.

Vice went on to win his 100th career match in the consolation finals.

In the finals, Audet jumped ahead early and then used his wiry stature to hold back Ben Madigan of Mountain Valley. Audet' strategy of continuously countering his opponent proved to be the difference.

Audet' accomplishment was recognized during halftime of a Monmouth basketball game in Foster Gym.

"That was a special moment,"Fyler said. "It really capped off the day."

An unlikely hero emerged in the very next match as Chris Smith provided a spark that proved to pay off two fold for Mountain Valley. The freshman recorded an upset win in overtime, which helped the team win the MSL championship.

Smith executed a takedown 14 seconds in to the extra session to upset Nate Hix of Lisbon 9-7.

"We needed all the wins,"coach Gary Dolloff said. "I didn't realize it at the time, but Smith' win was so important. It was a big swing in points against Lisbon, plus when the team saw that, it really spurned them on."

Mountain Valley won three of four matches in the finals with Lisbon, however, the out come wasn't decided until the final decisions against Dirigo opponents. Matt Thurston decisioned Scott Skibitsky 6-2 at 215. Mike Hanson held off Mike Williams 2-0. It required three scoring recounts before the Falcons were declared team champions.

The strong performances by Dirigo were certainly a step in the right direction. The youthful Cougars earned 13 medals and still had a mathematically chance entering the finals.

David Flagg 145 and Nick Gurney 160 each earned championships, however, the team unity was a key. Freshman Dana Mckeen was a finalist and several thirds aided the cause. They included Anthony Garcia 103, Dwight 'Bub' Millett 119, Jamie Bedard, Curtis Brann (152) and Derrick Gilbert (171).

"They wrestled together as a team,"Cougar coach Doug Gilbert said. We were in contention and the kids were cheering for each other. In fact, they were cheering and had to move back from the sides of the mat. That hadn't happened this year."

Ryan Bryce of Oxford Hills has been working hard throughout the season and the fruits of labor bore fruit at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championships. The senior was in the spot light after winning in over time to claim his first-ever crown at 160.

Bryce had taken control early and executed a near fall against Sam Glover of Camden Hils. The Viking wrestler led 7-5 in the third period, but a reversal by Glover forced OT.

Bryce knew he had let an opportunity slip away, but the second chance would be different. Bryce didn't waste energy and scored a takedown to win 9-7.

"I'm so proud of him,"Viking coach Chris Cobbett said. "Ryan had always been a bridesmaid in his career, but not any more. He finally reached the top and it came in a perfect setting."

A grand performance was also turned in by Mount Blue teammates Seth Webber and Ryan Hutchinson in winning KVAC crown at 119 and 140, respectively. Although the Cougars were dethroned, a solid second-place, hopefully leads to a greater finish.

Scott Webber 112 and Matt Waite (215) each remain unbeaten after successfully defending their crowns. Freshman Shane Webber (103) and Shawn Spangler (189) were both upset in the finals. The Cougars have the depth to defend their regional title this Saturday.

Ben Goulette of Morse captured the title at 145 and was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler. The Shipbuilder senior has a 127-3 career record and became the first-ever individual to with four KVAC championships. The feat had been in doubt because injured chest muscles had sidelined the two-time defending Class A state champion.

ROCKPORT - Dominating on the mat has become tradition for the Camden Hills wrestling squad. That tradition, however, may face one of its toughest challenges after this season.

Veteran Windjammer coach John Kelly, who has led Camden Hills to unprecedented success during his 15-year tenure, will step down after this season.

Kelly was honored in a ceremony to mark his final home meet prior to the start of a tri-meet with Medomak Valley of Waldoboro and Mountain Valley of Rumford Jan. 19 (see accompanying results).

In 15 seasons, Kelly has been a fixture on the sideline for the Windjammers, helping guide the squad to numerous team accolades.

For the record, Kelly's resume speaks for itself. He boasts a phenomenal 261-30 regular-season dual-meet record with 43 tournament wins. He has guided the Windjammers to six state Class B championships (1990, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2001); three state runners-up (1996, 1997, 1999); 10 Eastern B titles, including seven consecutive regional crowns (1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001); and six Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference titles (1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000).

Kelly has helped wrestlers win 31 individual state champions, including having six two-time champs, one three-time champ and one four-time champ.

Kelly has been named Maine Wrestling Coach of the Year five times (1992, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000) and was National High School Coach of the Year in 1999.

"I don't regret a thing," an emotional Kelly said before the Jan. 19 meet. "If I had to do it all over again, I would do it."

Kelly said Tuesday the decision to step down was difficult to make, yet the decision has been brewing for the past year or so.

"I have been contemplating this decision for a while now, but it was still a tough one," Kelly said.

Kelly cited a desire to spend more time watching his daughter, Miranda, play sports (she competes in softball, basketball, soccer) was another key factor for his decision. Miranda is a Camden Hills freshman.

"I have been involved in coaching for 23 years overall, 15 as head coach," he said. "It's getting tough to follow my daughter's athletic career now that she is in high school because the schedule doesn't work."

Kelly said the time is right to make the change since he has such an able staff of assistant coaches waiting to take over.

"I said a long time ago that I wanted to make sure the program was in good hands and I think now is the time to make that move," he said. "I still hope to be involved, but for now this is the right thing for me."

The outpouring of support by the wrestling community to injured Medomak Valley High School wrestler Stephen Michaud has been impressive.

Michaud suffered fractured vertebrae in the neck during a routine takedown attempt during a match on Dec. 19, 2001. The referee officiating the match acted quickly to stop the match and immobilized Michaud until emergency personnel could properly transport him to the hospital. Michaud was taken to a hospital in Bangor for surgery to repair the damaged vertebrae where he is currently recuperating.

At Saturday's Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference tournament at Oxford Hills High School, the proceeds from a 50-50 raffle were donated to the Michaud family. In a demonstration of generosity, the lady who won the drawing donated her half (more than $130) as well to the family. Parents of athletes in the Westbrook program held a spaghetti supper as a fund raiser. The MidCoast Wrestling Club has also raised money for the cause. Other events are in the planning stages.

The Stephen Michaud Fund has been established to help the Michaud family defray the expenses associated with this unfortunate event. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund can send donations to Stephen Michaud Fund, c/o Doug Libby (AD), Medomak Valley High School, 320 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572.

The latest reports are that Michaud has regained use of his arms and has feeling in his legs, and the outlook is favorable. However, he is faced with a long period of rehabilitation. His family is staying in the Bangor area to be close to Stephen.

Monmouth Academy's Ryan Audet had a big day at the Mid-State League tournament on Saturday. The Mustang grappler not only won the 130-pound class but also the outstanding wrestler award.

Audet opened the tournament with a 15-0 technical fall over Sonny McPherson of Dirigo. In the semifinals, Audet scored a 9-7 upset victory over Lisbon High School's state champion, William Vice. Audet completed the sweep for the day with a 10-6 win over Ben Mattigan of Mountain Valley in the finals. Monmouth finished fourth in the team standings.

Joining Audet in the finals were teammates Aaron Kaluzynski (103) and Wes Danforth (119). Both took seconds.

Wiscasset High School's Paul Rines finished second in the 140-pound class. Rines lost a hard-fought 7-6 decision to Lisbon's BJ Hamm in the finals.

Old Town High School's Jake Ela (215) became the first conference champion under rookie head coach Shawn Bunker when he won his weight class at the Penobscot Valley Conference tournament. Bunker is a 1996 Cony High School graduate and is currently completing his master's degree at the University of Maine.

The regional high school tournaments are set to begin at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday at six locations across the state. The Eastern A tournament will be held at Bath Middle School with area teams Cony, Gardiner, Skowhegan, Nokomis, and Mt. Blue attending. Eastern B will be hosted by Belfast Area High School. Local competitors will be Winslow, MCI and Mt. View. Oak Hill and Erskine will be at York High School for the Western B tournament. Monmouth Academy and Wiscasset will travel to Dirigo High School in Dixfield for the Western C competition. The Western A meet will be at Noble High School in Berwick and the Eastern C competition will be held at Bucksport High School.

KITTERY - Traip Academy played host on Saturday to the Western Maine Conference wrestling championships. Perennial powerhouse Marshwood, featuring nine WMC champions, easily captured the crown with 232 points. Runner-up Wells finished with two champions and 142.5 points.

Traip Academy finished in third with 113, followed by York in fourth with 101. Kennebunk rounded out the top five with 96.5 points

Capturing Conference championships for Wells were senior captain Edgar Wallace at 135-pounds and classmate Adam Chase at 275. They were joined by Kennebunk sophomore Ben Kinerson, the 171 champion.

Each school had two wrestlers finish in second place. Mike Dumas,130, and Dan Racaniello, 135, represented the Rams, while Ben Pierce at 160 and Pat Casten at 215 represented the Warriors.

In the consolation round Stephen Grethe of Wells pinned Kennebunk's Trevor Kell to capture third place at 112. Malcolm Phillips of the Warriors then recorded a technical fall victory over Matt Hunter of the Rams at 125. At 140 Ryan Sullivan of Kennebunk recorded a decision over Corey Brown of Wells which in turn was followed by Anthony Racaniello's decision over Matt Witham at 152.

Wells also had a pair of fourth place finishers in Alan Hamlyn at 119 and Jacob Treadwell at 145.

Both teams will spend the week gearing up for Saturday's Regional Championships. The Class A West meet will be held at Noble High School in Berwick while Class B teams will battle at York High.

BIDDEFORD - Biddeford High School's Tiger Gym was filled with some of the best wrestlers in the state on Saturday as Westbrook, Deering and Massabesic were in town for a four-way meet with the Tigers. Biddeford narrowly defeated Deering, 51-26, and Massabesic, 54-24, but fell to powerhouse Westbrook, 52-23. Those results moved the Tigers team record to 15-5

"Today was my best day as a coach at the high school," Biddeford head man Bob Gaudette said. "The kids wrestled hard and wrestled hurt and that meant a lot. They showed a lot of heart today."

Biddeford's junior captains Jim Gaudette and Anthony Cincotta won all three of their matches on the day. Gaudette, 112 pounds, pinned Chris Landrum of Westbrook in 1 minute 23 seconds, pinned his opponent from Deering in 1:25 and won by forfeit against Massabesic. Gaudette will be either a second or third seed at the regional meet on Saturday, vying with Sanford's Peter Wentworth for one of those spots.

Cincotta, who will be the top seed at 140 at the regionals, had three pins in three matches on Saturday. Perhaps most impressive was his win against talented Jeremy Spofford of Westbrook. Cincot