Ponies regroup, hold off Dexter, win 4th in row

BUCKSPORT – The 2006-07 wrestling season had been a major decision in frustration for the Foxcroft Academy Ponies.

Injuries and other personnel issues left a program coming off four consecutive Penobscot Valley Conference titles and three Eastern Maine Class C championships vulnerable, a vulnerability that showed both during the regular season and at the PVCs, where the Ponies were unable to defend their crown.

But redemption came Saturday at the Eastern Maine championships, as Foxcroft got it together and outlasted rivals Dexter and PVC champion Bucksport to win its fourth straight regional title.

“Last week we didn’t have all our spots filled,” said FA junior Jerod Rideout, one of three Ponies who won individual championships. “We had some guys missing, some guys weren’t showing up at practice, and it showed at PVCs. We didn’t do as well as we thought we were going to, and it was really disappointing.

“Last week we just worked hard. The coaches were pushing us right to the extreme and it showed. It’s great to know that the practice paid off. You work the whole week, and then you come down here and you see the difference.”

Foxcroft had 169 points, edging a Dexter team led by senior Jeremiah Barkac – the new state record holder for career victories – by four points and Bucksport by 16. Penobscot Valley of Howland was fourth with 113 points, with Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln (72.5) and Fort Kent (70) next in the 12-school field.

Rideout, who will be seeking his third individual state title Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center, scored three wins by pin to earn the 145-pound regional crown. He was one of 10 Ponies to qualify for the state meet by earning top-four finishes. Colby Johnson (130 pounds) and Jon Geiger (215) each won his weight class, while Kaleb Mann (112), Ethan Whittemore (140), and Tyler Weymouth (189) placed second. Mark Badeau (103), Tim Fogg (135), and Bill Macomber (171) added thirds for the Ponies, with Ray Benson placing fourth at 125.

“All season we struggled with injuries, people not making weight or grades. But we’re coming together at the right time,” said Foxcroft coach Luis Ayala.

Barkac broke the state career wins record of 180 he shared for the last week with former Noble of North Berwick standout Decota Cotten with his semifinal pin of Penobscot Valley’s Greg Rowley, then pinned Mann in the title bout to win the 112-pound EM crown.

“It feels good, especially at the end of my senior year,” said Barkac, who will be favored to become a four-time state champ next weekend. “It felt good with my dad and my mom here today, and especially with my brother [Chris, a four-time state champ] here. It was pretty emotional.”

Barkac was one of five Tigers to win EM titles, the most of any team. Dexter advanced seven to the championship finals and dominated the lower weight classes as the brother duos of Michael (103) and Brian O’Connor (119) and Ronnie (125) and Josh Harvey (152) also earned first-place finishes.

Dexter also got seconds from Ryan Newcomb (135) and Lee Morgan (171) and thirds from Lee Gustin (140) and Nate Redmond (285) to advance nine wrestlers to the states.

“I can’t say it’s disappointing,” said Dexter coach Adam Gudroe. “It is from the standpoint that it was close enough that we could get it and we didn’t. But to look at my guys and look at how far they’ve come and to look at how close we were, that says something pretty good about this team.”

Bucksport won all four of its championship matches, but sent just eight to the championship and consolation finals compared to 10 en route to its PVC-winning effort of a week ago.

Ray Wood (135), Jon Pelletier (140), Stephen Klenowski (160), and Andrew Wescott (285) earned titles for the Golden Bucks, while Shawn Powell (125), Cameron Wadleigh (152), and Craig Woodard (215) had thirds and Darrin Ryder (171) placed fourth.

Chad Dyer scored an individual title for Penobscot Valley at 189 pounds, helping a youthful Howlers team that includes eight freshmen display its promise for the future. Four Howlers – Beau Gagnon (103), Aaron Gagnon (119), Brandon King (130), and Fletcher Carson (160) – placed second.

Perhaps the most eventful route to a title was taken by Fort Kent’s Khalil Lesaldo. Seeded fourth, he outpointed top-seeded Macomber 11-5 in the semifinals and outlasted third-seeded Morgan 11-9 in the 171-pound final.

“He had a super day,” said Fort Kent coach Kevin Pelletier. “He’s a senior, but this is only his second year wrestling, and he beat some strong guys in front of him. He had an outstanding day.”