Boudreau steps down at Brewer Coach built Witches’ wrestling program

BREWER – Perry Boudreau guided the Brewer High School wrestling family through its infancy.

Now, with a son nearing his second birthday and a second child due to arrive in August – along with a new job as a special education teacher in Old Town and a new home he and his wife just purchased – he’s decided it’s time to spend more time watching his own family grow.

Boudreau, the only coach the Brewer program has ever had, has stepped down after five years of developing the Witches from a program that didn’t exist to one on the rise in the Penobscot Valley Conference.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do because there’s been so much work and so much time put in to get it to where it is,” said Boudreau of his decision. “But you have to be fair, and with a family so young I just think it’s time for someone else to step in and take this program to the next level.”

Brewer placed fifth at this year’s Eastern Maine Class A meet and produced three Eastern Maine individual champions in Chris Noyes, Jeff Madden and Justin Bowen. Of the eight Brewer wrestlers who competed at the regional, seven qualified for the state Class A meet and the eighth was an alternate.

“Each year that we’ve had the program the kids have grown and matured as wrestlers,” Boudreau said. “Now we have five or six kids next year who not only will have the chance to place at the states but have a chance at winning.”

There’s also a feeder system in place, with an estimated 60 to 70 wrestlers competing last winter from elementary school through high school. In fact, incoming freshman Alex Smith will be the first graduate of the youth feeder program to advance to the high school level.

“Over the last five years, all the work and effort that’s been put in toward building this program, I’m proud of that,” he said.

Much of that work was done by Boudreau himself. Without a wrestling background of his own, he buried himself in books and videos to learn the sport while seeking out advice from those already in the profession.

“I was a football coach,” said the former Bangor High all-state lineman, “and I’ve become a wrestling coach. It’s something I’m going to miss.”

Brewer athletic director Dennis Kiah praised Boudreau’s commitment to the program.

“Perry got the program going and developed interest in wrestling in the community,” Kiah said. “He worked with a boosters group of mostly parents, and the team grew from four or five wrestlers that first year to 14 to 18 at the high school level year.

“Now we’ve got wrestlers qualifying for the state tournament. The program has grown in leaps and bounds.”

Boudreau credited parents who helped support the program during its infancy, as well as Kiah for his support of wrestling at Brewer High School.

“There was no template for this program,” said Boudreau. “I could have gone in a lot of different directions. Dennis has really been the program’s biggest supporter, always willing to help.”

But he reserved most of the credit for wrestling’s growth in Brewer to those who have taken to the mat.

“The discipline and determination it takes to be a good wrestler is unbelievable,” he said. “I’m proud of the kids for their willingness to put in the time and effort, and I’m looking forward to following them in the future.”

Brewer is advertising for Boudreau’s replacement.

MLS camp set in E. Millinocket

MLS Camps, the official camp of Major League Soccer, will conduct the East Millinocket Recreation Soccer Camp from July 28 through Aug. 1 at the Schenck High School fields.

The day camp features three age divisions: MLS Young Player Program, for ages 5-6, cost $51; MLS Intermediate Player Program, for ages 7-11, $79; and MLS Advanced Player Program, for ages 12-18, $79. Sessions begin at 4:30 p.m. each day, and all players must bring shin guards and a water bottle.

All camp coaches are licensed and educated in all aspects of coaching, interaction and communication, MLS Camps Kidriculum, and first aid.

Checks may be made payable to EMRD and sent to the East Millinocket Recreation Department, 53 Main St., P.O. Box 276, East Millinocket, ME 04430. For more information, contact East Millinocket Director of Recreation Frank Clukey at 746-3553 or fclukey@yahoo.com.

Ernie Clark may be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net