The Lisbon wrestlers were faced with a potential road block, but the team promptly adjusted its lineup to avoid a setback.

About three weeks ago, two-state champion Derek Giusto suffered a dislocated elbow during a practice. The senior’s loss might have been disastrous, but the Greyhounds took it in stride.

Mitch Harmon had been competing at 152, but two days later he advanced to the McDonald’s Invitational final at 135. Lisbon finished solidly in third place.

Last Saturday, Harmon re-certified at 145, and despite being seeded eight, pinned Dirigo freshman Kyle Meile to win the Atlantic. Teammates Tim Sewall and Nate Hix each won crowns at 125 and 135, respectively. Unlike other holiday events, each match is official for seeding.

“What more could we have done,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “In order to advance eight kids to the finals at a tournament like this says some thing. It’s been tough, but this team is headed in the right direction. The important thing is to maintain the momentum and be peaking in February.”

Other finalists included freshman Tyler Clark (103), Justin Cornell (112), Charlie Stambach (119), Troy Clark (140) and Ian Mckeag at (160). Jake Sprinkle placed third at 215.

Lisbon, a three-time defending regional and Class C state champion, is on the right track. The anticipated return by Giusto in early January will serve to strengthen the ‘Hounds’ lineup. Giusto currently has 99 career wins.

Lisbon received a shot in the arm when Bob Earle returned as an assistant coach. Ted Albasini had remained as assistant coach.

“It’s really good news,” Stevens said. “Derek’s return will only make us stronger and it’s nice having Bob Earle back. He had bought a ski pass and figured it would be fun, but he found that he missed being involved in wrestling and decided to return.”

Feeding frenzy

The importance of having an active feeder program is obvious when you take a good look at sports programs a the high school level.

That’s the situation Fryeburg Academy has been in for the past several years because the lack of wrestlers has limited the competitiveness of the team. The Raiders have continued to produce some quality individuals such as 2002 former state champion Brendan Dagan and Richard Chute (state finalist), but it’s difficult when only half of the 14 weight classes are occupied.

“The interest just hasn’t been the same,” Fryeburg coach Jeff Leach said. “We don’t have a program at the junior high level, but we’re (actively) trying to get it re-instituted. Our peewee program is going strong with coach Bryce Thurston, but there’s a gap because we don’t have a program at the junior high.”

Fryeburg has a long tradition in wrestling dating back four decades. The Raiders completed a rare double in 1973 because they won the Class B state championship and the prep team was New England champions. The coach was Hall of Famer Dave Woodsom, who returned in the mid 1990s to guide All-American Dan Fox.

“We’d like to build the high school program back up again,” Leach said. “The support simply doesn’t exist because of that gap between the peewee and high school. But if you look at teams like Noble, Mountain Valley and Camden (Hills) who have junior high programs, they have the numbers and are strong every year.”

Earlier this month, Fryeburg participated in the McDonald’s Invitational with six wrestlers. The combination of injuries and illness were factors in the over all performances.

Fryeburg has three seniors, including Tom Moore who placed fourth in the state meet last season. Moore suffered a concussion three days prior to McDonald’s. Craig Barron (160) and Hawk Reynoso (171) were also coming in at 6 a.m. to practice. Kevin Barry (119), Shawn Hoagland (125, third at Atlantic), Greg Pierce (140) are juniors.

“It’s really tough on the team,” Leach said. “Especially at dual meets because we know that we can’t win with so many forfeits. But I certainly can’t fault the effort because the kids that we do have are continuing to work hard.”

Award-winning performance

Pat Castin of Wells won the Shawn Sheehy award after pinning Mike Hanson of Mountain Valley to win the Atlantic at 215. The defending Class B state champion raised his record to 15-0.

The Sheehy award is given annually to the best Wells wrestler in the tournament. Sheehy, who past away in March of 1999 at the age of 30, was the first Wells wrestler to win three state championships (1985-87) and was also the first to achieve 100 career wins. Sheehy had lived life to the fullest and was in his 10th year as a Navy Seal.