March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Top Maine wrestlers to compete in Nebraska

WESTBROOK – Some of Maine’s best high school wrestlers will get a chance to test their skills against their counterparts from Nebraska when they compete in the prestigious 16th annual Friendship Series in Nebraska next week.

The exchange between the two states, which was co-founded by Wally Lafountain of Winslow in 1985, has had 610 Maine wrestlers participate in more than 869 matches. Each state hosts the competition on alternate years. The series is the longest-running exchange of its type between two states in the entire nation.

The Maine wrestlers will leave June 20 and return June 28. They are tentatively scheduled to visit the cities of Kearney, Imperial, Alliance and Omaha.

Eastern Maine will be represented by Dexter teammates Kevin Armstrong (147 pounds) and Joey Turner (165), Josiah Glover (170) of Camden-Rockport, Josh Carter (225) of Bucksport, and Steve Weeman (270) of Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield. The Maine team members won 11 individual state championships this past season.

Mt. Blue of Farmington teammates Scott Webber (115) and Carl Swihart (139) and Morse of Bath’s Ben Goulette (140) will also compete.

“The competition is always keen,” said Dennis Walch, the Maine team leader. “While the wrestling is fierce on the mats, the main purpose is to initiate friendships and develop an understanding of a different way of life.”

Bucksport’s Mike Carter and Mountain Valley of Rumford’s Jerry Perkins, a Brewer native, will coach the team with Walch.

The Maine team will wrestle at four separate venues in Nebraska between June 21 and 27. Each meet is preceded by an exchange of gifts.

Armstrong and Turner are both two-time Class C state champions. Armstrong, who just completed his sophomore year, has an 81-3 career record. Turner won 110 career matches and will wrestle at the University of Southern Maine next fall.

Glover was a Class B state champion on the Windjammers’ championship team and was fourth in the New England Championships.

Carter (41-1) and Weeman (31-5) were state finalists in Class C and B, respectively. Swihart (38-0), a two-time Class A state champion, won 128 career matches with 83 pins. Swihart was also a finalist for Wrestler of the Year.

Webber had a 30-1 record en route to winning a state title and has 49 pins in 54 career wins. Goulette (34-0) was the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Class A state tournament and finished sixth in New England.

Remaining members include Mountain Valley teammates Jesse Peterson (187), Kris Welch (152), Jason Buotte (128) and Mike Dawson (111). Westbrook’s Walter Burney (115), Dom Cofone (145) and Scott Hansen (160); Massabesic of Waterboro’s Steve Thyng (170); and Noble of Berwick’s Tag McCormick (215).


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