SOUTH PARIS – The Noble High School wrestling team flexed its muscles in five meets Saturday to win the first-ever Viking Duals at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

The championship round wasn’t close as the Knights seized the momentum early en route to a 55-24 win against Mountain Valley. The five-time defending Class A state champions won the first six matches to take an insurmountable 34-0 lead.

Class B Mountain Valley, who earned the No. 1 seed, was stymied until Aaron Arsenault recorded a pin at 140.

“We gained a lot today,” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. “The kids wrestled above my expectations. I can’t wait to get everyone back and in rhythm. Two starters were missing. We were simply outmuscled against Noble.”

Noble featured Jarod Proper (130) and New England champion Decota Cotten (5-0 at 152).

This was the initial attempt at holding a dual meet format in this state as 12 teams from throughout the state each participated in a series of dual meets. The teams were divided into three pools.

Mountain Valley won four of its five meets, sweeping through its first three by scores of 66-0 over Sanford, 60-9 over Bucksport and 31-25 over host Oxford Hills.

The Falcons’ Travis Child (130), competing with a mask to protect stitches, recorded a 1-0 decision over the Vikings’ Josh Laird. Dave Smith clinched the meet with a 4-0 decision over Matt Hess.

Mountain Valley then beat the Vikings 32-25 in a wild semi-inal that was highlighted by several lead changes. The Falcons won the final four matches, beginning with a 2-0 overtime decision by state champion Chris Smith 5-0 at 171.

Travis Dragoon and Dave Smith each went unbeaten at 189 and 275, respectively.

“Our goal today was getting the kids to wrestle,” Oxford Hills coach Mark Dolloff said. “Each of our kids had two or three matches, and in our (consolation) meet with Lisbon, we had nine freshmen out on the mat. The team is a lot farther ahead now than we were at this point last year. Everything went off without a hitch.”

Lisbon, the three-time defending Class C state champion, won four of five duals. The Greyhounds built an early lead and downed Oxford Hills 40-27. The Greyhounds were led by unbeaten wrestlers Tyler Clark (103), Nate Hix (130) and Derek Giusto (135). Lisbon beat Foxcroft (44-33), Belfast and Biddeford by identical 51-24 scores.

Charlie Stambach (125) rallied to beat Belfast state champion Tony Gilmore.

“This was a measuring stick for us,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “It’s not all about wins or losses. Some good things happened out there today, and we needed to find out which kids were mentally tough and willing to go the distance.”

One of the most intriguing matches involved former state champions Seth McAlister of Oxford Hills and Troy Clark of Lisbon. McAlister (5-0) executed a reversal in the second period to lead 4-1, and Clark’s switch late in the third wasn’t enough.

“I knew Clark would be tough,” McAlister said. “I’d seen him wrestle at meets during the summer. I know that I have some things to work on.”

Class C Dirigo had a tough draw. The young team opened up against Noble (63-12) and Marshwood (59-21), respectively. The Cougars rebounded to beat Dexter, 42-32, behind pins by Devin Brann (152) and Keith Ellis at 275. Freshman Mike Jonaitis decisioned Heath Devoll of Noble 8-6 in OT. Jamie Bernard, Kyle Dolloff and Pat O’Leary (pin) also won for the Cougars.

Noble was tested in a 44-38 win over Marshwood.

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