Seth McAlister showed the ability to adapt to various wrestling disciplines in winning the Ironman World Wrestling Championship.

The national event was held over three days at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, with competition in three styles of wrestling.

McAlister, a recent graduate of Oxford Hills, had to remain focused because of the unique nature of the event. McAlister (145-pounds) won the Folk-style and Greco-Roman disciplines, and placed third in Freestyle.

Each competitor earned points based on his overall performances. The three styles have separate rules and regulations.

“It was a really fun tournament,” McAlister said. “I believe I had 13 matches. I lost (early) in the freestyle portion, so I had to wrestle back to place third.”

McAlister started strong by winning four matches in Folk-style during the first day. Folk is used in Maine high school wrestling, so the two-time state champion was ready for the challenge.

The Maine Trappers Wrestling Club had 15 athletes place in the top six of their respective divisions, including Dekota Cotten of Noble, who also won an Ironman championship in the same Elite class. Cotten (171), an All-American, placed first in Folk and Freestyle, while placing third in Greco. Mike Dumis of Kennebunk took second after placing second in each wrestling category at 140.

“These results are to the best of my knowledge,” Trappers coach Al Kinerson said. “Over 600 wrestlers were entered in this challenging tournament. All of our Maine wrestlers did a great job. Many of them without much Freestyle and no Greco experience.”

Matt Rix (98) of Marshwood won a Ironman championship in schoolboy division and freshman Jeremiah Barkac (98) of Dexter placed second in cadet.

McAlister only had to wrestle an entire six-minute match three times and two were against Drew Barder of Pennsylvania. In Freestyle, McAlister lost a 9-7 decision to Barder, but McAlister beat the Keystone wrestler in the other two styles.

Freestyle is geared toward takedowns and rolls, so opponents need to be defensive and use counter moves.

“I think the freestyle was the toughest,” McAlister said. “Just because the kids I wrestled were more experienced than I was. The kid (from Minnesota) that won freestyle didn’t even place in folk-style and I tech-fell him (10-0) in Greco. I just don’t know or haven’t perfected my technique in freestyle yet.”

The third day featured Greco, which requires being able to execute throws. A strong upper body is an advantage since the rules prohibit any use of the legs.

This proved to be an asset for McAlister, who won four matches – two tech-falls and two pins. Throws are not McAlister’s strength so he relied on countering moves.

“I love Greco the most out of the three styles,” McAlister said. “I don’t know why. I have a fairly strong upper body, so it makes it somewhat easier. But, I like the strategy. It’s all strategy with Greco which I thoroughly enjoy.”

McAlister will attend Edinboro University in Pennsylvania this fall and will most likely redshirt his freshman year.

“The (current) varsity 141-pounder will be graduating in 2005,” McAlister said. “So, hopefully I can challenge for the spot. Next summer is probably more work for college (academics) and wrestling. I don’t know if I am going to return home for that or stay right at Edinboro, so I can train for the following year.”