Everything will be on the line and they’ll be no place to hide when wrestlers assemble at Bangor Auditorium Friday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. for the Class A, B and C state championships.

This is the second visit and the competition will be completed Saturday evening. Each class will contested on designated mats, so crowds will be able to see their favorite wrestlers. Participants qualified for their respective state meets by placing in the top four at the Eastern and Western regional tournaments last Saturday. Each of the 14 weight classes will have eight-person brackets and the individual regional champions will wrestle the lowest seed from the opposite regional in quarterfinal matches.

“I think we still have a shot. The matchups are key and we have a chance to win most of them,” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. “I told the kids to wrestle like it was there last match because it could be. (Ben) Madigan’s weight class is really close – a lot of good wrestlers. Anyone of six could win, but I like his chances. He is working hard and has learned from (regional) finals match.” The favorites going in are Noble, Camden Hills and Lisbon and all have won multiple state championships. The Knights (five-times), Windjammers (four) and the Greyhounds (three) each won their respective regional last Saturday. The Falcons and Windjammers each have 12 individuals and are expected to battle throughout the day. Camden beat Mountain Valley by five points in 2003 and it wasn’t decided until the 189-pound match.

Mountain Valley features regional champions Zach Bradley (25-7 at 119), Chris Smith (33-2 at 171), Travis Dragoon (25-4 at 189) and David Smith (34-1 at 275). Chris Smith, a junior, is a defending state champion. Every match won provides advancement points, so there’s little margin for error. The Falcons anticipate several head-to-head matches against Camden wrestlers in the semifinals, including Mike Gilbert (103), Chris Cayer (135), Travis Child (130) and Madigan (152). Madigan won a state crown as a freshman in 2002.

“We have to go with our new slogan,” Falcon coach Dolloff said. “Never give up and don’t be afraid to take chances. We will try to push them.”

Camden Hills will be led by state champions Kyle Young (140), Chris Remsen (three times at 145) and Bryan Creamer (189). Jake Rollins (119) is a former state champion. The rivals will score heavily, however, Mike Hansen and David Smith each need to place high because Camden has no one at 215 or 275.

Belfast will be in the hunt with Kyle Bonin (112), Tony Gilmore (119) and Norman Gilmore 125. Look for Fryeburg regional champion Tom Moore (152) to be a factor, while Shawn Hoagland (125) and Craig Baron (160) have each shown promise. Nikole Lemay (112) of Oak Hill is No. 2 in the West, but a shoulder injury might hinder her performances. In Class C, Lisbon will not have a clear run because Foxcroft has a solid lineup and the teams will have several matches against each other. The Greyhounds were exposed in the regional because of not having wrestlers in the last two weight classes. Mark Stambach will be the anchor at 189.

“The Ponies may have their destiny in their own hands on this one,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “Without our 215 and 275, it will be a difficult to catch them during the stretch. We match up five times, either in the semis or quarterfinals. The last two tourneys we started the finals behind by 10 and 11 points. We’ll need to be leading by 24 by the time the 160 match concludes.”

The bread and butter rest in the Greyhounds’ first eight weight classes. Freshman Tyler Clark (103) Justin Cornell (112), Charlie Stambach (1 at 119), Tim Swell (125), Nate Hix (2 at 130), Derek Guisto (135), Troy Clark (140), Mitch Harmon (145) and Josh Dubois (152). Hix, Giusto and Clark have each won state crowns. The Ponies’ Chris Cookson (140), Max Kennedy (145) and Caleb Pelletier (152) will be equally strong.

“I figure Foxcroft will have (12 medalists), scoring at (approximately) 216 points,” Stevens said. “We could have nine finalists, but that may not be enough to take it. I can tell you that our goal is to be able to continue wrestling at max potential. We trained with (multiple) minute matches with no breaks, to get them prepared.”

Dirigo could be spoilers with regional champions Brent Carter (140), Randy Hall (160), Kyle Dolloff (171) and Nate Conley at 215. Mike Jonaitis (112), Kyle Meile (145) and Devin Brann (152) can each place. Monmouth has Wes Danforth and Dennis Trask at 125 and 145, respectively.

Noble will be dogged by Marshwood. Oxford Hills and Mt. Blue will be in the top five. A trio of wrestlers who each placed a year ago will also be on a mission, including Seth McAlister (40-1 at 140). The Oxford Hills former state champion will go against Mike Dumis of Kennebunk or Brian Blackler of Medomak Valley. The Vikings also have Josh Laird (135), Tom Moulton (145), John Sirmopoulus (160) and Matt Hess (275).

“It’s always a new challenge,” Vikings coach Mark Dolloff said. “Seth looked good with Blackler. We are taking things one match at a time. We are the hunter this year; Dumas is undefeated. Laird gets closer every time he wrestles (Seth) Webber. I believe he will get a shot at (Jared) Proper (Noble) first and can surprise some in that match.

“Other than that we will see what happens they need to come out of the gate on fire.”

Mt. Blue has momentum with regional champions Chris Embleton (119), Seth Webber (135) and Josh Haines at 171. Shane Webber (130), Nate Child (215) and Kyle Gilley (275) will factors.

Unbeaten Decota Cotten leads Noble, while Marshwood features Colby Lamson 145 and Jonathon Brooks at 171.

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