Perennial powers looking to extend state title holds

AUGUSTA – Dethroning a state wrestling champion never has been a common occurrence in Maine.

The Maine Principals’ Association began awarding a single state team championship in 1959, and initially it belonged to Sanford. The Redskins won nine consecutive titles, including seven Class A crowns after a second division was added in 1962.

As for that second division, Dexter High won seven of the first eight Class B state championships.

The new century has brought little change to the trend toward lengthy title reigns. Noble of North Berwick enters Saturday’s state championships at the Augusta Civic Center as the six-time defending Class A champion. Camden Hills of Rockport has won the Class B title each of the past five years.

And while Foxcroft Academy brings a modest one-year hold on the Class C state title to Augusta, the norm before the Ponies’ rise was similar. FA dethroned Lisbon, a three-time champion, which was preceded by Dexter’s four-year run from 1997 to 2000. Dirigo of Dixfield won in 1996, and before that Penobscot Valley of Howland’s won five straight titles from 1991 to 1995.

Many factors play into this dynastic tendency, among them program tradition, dominant coaches and depth of talent to fill all weight classes.

And, not surprisingly, Noble, Camden Hills and Foxcroft all enter this year’s state meet among the favorites to extend their runs after winning regional titles last weekend.

The three state meets will be held simultaneously on eight mats at the Augusta Civic Center, with opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m. and the first matches scheduled for 9 a.m.

Class B: This was supposed to be a building year for Camden Hills, with freshmen and sophomores dominating the lineup.

But the Windjammers will send 13 wrestlers to the states, including seven Eastern B champs: Murphy McGowan (103), True Bragg (119), Cody Laite (140), Harry Pearson (160), Matt Creamer (171), Oliver Bradeen (189) and Gibby Bryant (215).

Camden Hills will be hurt by the fact that freshman Jacob Berry, who qualified at 125 pounds, suffered a non-wrestling injury and is expected to miss the state meet.

Eastern B runner-up Belfast has 12 qualifiers, led by EM champs Kyle Bonin (112), Tony Gilmore (125), Norman Gilmore (130) and Ben Dunham (145).

Mountain Valley won its third straight WM title thanks to six individual titles and 11 wrestlers who advanced to the state meet. The Falcons’ strength lies in its middle and upper weight classes, with Zach Bradley (135), Aaron Arsenault (152), Ben Madigan (160), Chris Smith (189), Brendan Bradley (215) and David Smith (275) all regional champs.

Class C: Foxcroft and Lisbon, separated by 31 points in last year’s state meet, figure to battle it out for the 2005 crown.

Foxcroft qualified 12 wrestlers for the states while winning its second straight EM regional, Lisbon qualified 13 while winning its fifth straight WM crown.

Lisbon won eight individual titles while Foxcroft won seven, with each team failing to make weight in one class.

Foxcroft has three returning state champs in undefeated brothers Caleb Pelletier (152) and Josh (215) Pelletier and EM runner-up Randy Briggs (171). Lisbon has two champs back in Justin Cornell (112) and Charlie Stambach (125 after winning at 119 in 2004).

Bucksport and Dexter are other Eastern Maine contenders. Bucksport features EM champs Derek Conner (160) and Booky Nesin (112) and defending 189-pound state champ Adam Tweedie. Dexter is led by undefeated brothers Chris Barcak (130) and Jeremiah Barkac (103) and fellow EM champ Billy Greene (140).

Class A: Noble is poised to win its seventh straight title after topping Marshwood 233-171 in last week’s Western Maine meet. Noble qualified wrestlers in all 14 weight classes, including four regional champs. Marshwood also sends four WM titlists to the meet.

Top Eastern Maine threats include regional champion Mt. Blue of Farmington, which edged Mount Ararat of Topsham 162-157 for that title behind weight class wins from brothers Sam (112) and Shane (135) Webber and Hazen Pingree (160). Skowhegan, led by undefeated Dylan Wentworth (140), and Oxford Hills of South Paris also may contend for top-five finishes.

An interesting sub-plot will be Deanna Rix’s pursuit of the 130-pound state title. Rix, the daughter of Marshwood coach Matt Rix, recently surpassed 100 career victories and reached the Western A championship match last weekend before losing a 1-0 decision to Shane Leadbetter of Sanford.