WESTBROOK – After three decades of directing things from the center of the mat, Dennis Walch retired as wrestling coach at Westbrook High School.

The longtime mentor spent countless hours teaching numerous athletes who accepted Walch’s challenge and expectations.

His efforts certainly haven’t gone unnoticed and his commitment to further promote the world’s oldest sport helped earn Walch respect throughout the state.

“I think you have to know when it is time to step down,” Walch said. “I know I have helped a lot of wrestlers in the past 30 years and I have really benefited from them. I don’t want to go to wrestling camp anymore and run a wrestling club. It is time for someone with more energy to take over.”

Walch has seen numerous changes during his tenure, but coaching in a competitive atmosphere has always remained one of his top priorities.

“I’ve known Dennis a long time and his commitment has always been an asset,” Maine Hall of Fame coach Jerry Perkins said. “He started from the ground level, but he put the time in to learn every thing he could about the sport and has had a strong influence on wrestling in the Greater Portland area. There are many techniques that can be used to teach the sport. Dennis has always taught the basics and it has allowed him to get the most out of his wrestlers.”

The fruits of his labor can be seen in Westbrook’s accomplishments. The Blue Blazes have been extremely competitive and have finished second in the 2002 and 2003 Class A state meets.

“The Class A, B and C state meets at Augusta is the best thing to happen in wrestling in 20 years,” Walch said. “The one state championship (all schools were one class) was better though because they were true state champions back then. We need an all-state tournament after our individual championships to not only pick the best for the New Englands, but to crown the best state champion. It’s great getting back to New England competition, but our state tournament has to be closer to the New England tourney.”

The state returned to the New Englands in 1999, following a 21-year hiatus and has struggled to recapture performances enjoyed during the golden era. Another rule change that affected the sport was increasing the weight classes from 12 to 14. That resulted in too many forfeits and watered down the talent.

Walch is also the team leader of the Friendship Series, which features wrestlers from Nebraska and Maine. The annual event is the longest active cultural exchange between two states in the nation.

“Dennis took a fledgling program, but a good one, and made it better,” series co-founder/ MHOF Wally LaFountain said. “He streamlined it, gave it a new look, new life and has done extremely well with it.

“I am very proud to have been a part of an interstate cultural exchange program. It has offered hundreds of kids an opportunity to experience other lifestyles and other parts of this great country. It became much more than a wrestling program. Wrestling was only the excuse.

“I try to keep the exchange the same as Wally had it. The purpose is still friendship and to show some Nebraska kids a great time. I think the hosts get as much out of it as the wrestlers and coaches. It’s great to show off your own state. The competition is top notch.”

Looking back

Walch was still wet under the collar following graduation from the University of Maine in 1970 with a BS in Physical Education/ Biology and a minor in English.

He utilized his athletic talents on the football field for four years as a member of the offensive line. As a senior, Walch earned second-team, All-Yankee Conference and honorable mention All-New England.

Walch hadn’t wrestled, but enjoyed watching fellow football players like Keith Kalman and Barry Greener (Weymouth, Mass.) wrestle for the Black Bears.

Soon after accepting a job at Westbrook, a principal suggested establishing a wrestling team

“I had taken a wrestling coaching course from Ian MacKinnon at Orono,” Walch said. “I really did jump at the opportunity. I really liked the sport, but I didn’t realize what I was getting into. When I first started, I scrambled to learn wrestling techniques. Keith Kalman, Phil Soule and John Cole helped in that first year. It really was trial and error.”

Walch recalls some trying times beginning with an initial triangular meet at Fryeburg. Westbrook won only three individual matches that day (all forfeits) and then won only one match that year against the Boy Training Center.

“We hear that kids should have respect for their coaches, and they should,” Maine HOF Steve Nokes said. “But Dennis first and foremost has great respect for his wrestlers, which I think in turn earns him the respect of his wrestlers, along with other fine qualities Dennis has.”

The next year the Blue Blazes went 10-5 and Walch started believing in his coaching methods. The messages were received because they have only had two losing seasons since then. Westbrook has a 346-189 dual-meet record, 16 individual state championships (13 different wrestlers), 37 Regional champions and 69 state-place winners.

“I think wrestling has evolved nicely since then. Kids wrestle more before entering high school,” said Walch. “A highlight had to be Tom Trecartin in 1989 winning the first individual title for Westbrook. A good athlete could step right in and win more than he lost but not any more. A. We sent 12 straight kids to the finals before Tom and they all lost. Once Tom won, it became, if not easier, at least more often.”

In 1995, Westbrook had three individual state champs in a row: Marshall Craggy (152), Justin Gross (160) and Ben McCrillis (171).

Walch also received great satisfaction in coaching his son, Brian (2003 HOF inductee), to two state titles in the early ’90s. The younger Walch was a two-time academic All American at Ithaca College in New York and was a member of the ’94 Division II National champions.

Walch has had an increased role statewide since becoming the team leader of the Friendship Series in 1995.

“Some coach/son relationships are tough,” Walch said. “Brian’s motivation pushed me. He pushed so hard that I had to keep on my toes. I was not surprised by his success because he was the most dedicated wrestler I ever coached.

“There are so many memories. There’s other wrestlers who did not win state championships or maybe didn’t win many matches, but it’s the process that’s important not the outcome, what these kids take from wrestling. Many kids want instant success and not many want to wrestle JV. I have still been able to find wrestlers that are willing to work.”