SOUTH PARIS – Local wrestlers received an opportunity Saturday to see where they stand entering the 2004-05 season at the second annual Viking duals. Teams and athletes both tasted success and were also humbled.

The competition finished with Noble and Camden Hills meeting in the championship round.

Several other teams, including Mountain Valley, Lisbon, Oxford Hills and Dirigo, understand that there remains room for improvement.

The dual-meet format featured 12 teams divided into three pools, competing in a series of dual meets.

“It was a great day,” Dirigo assistant coach Hal Watson said. “Some of the coaches were going around saying that things may have been different if (a team) had been in another group. Well, there was no easy draws. It was tough, but I’m pleased with our team’s efforts. The boys are a year older and more consistent.”

Mountain Valley won two of its three pool meets, including a huge rally against Noble’s B team. The Falcons trailed 24-3 before winning seven of the final eight matches. Zack Bradley started the onslaught by executing a takedown at the buzzer in overtime. Chris Cayer (140), Aaron Arsenault, Chris Smith (189), Brendan Bradley (215) and David Smith (275) each won by pin. Ben Matthews and Tyler Childs won major decisions at 145 and 171, respectively.

“There is a good mixture of teams here,” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. “I really like the set up. We can’t wrestle against everyone, but we’re able to see what’s out there, like Belfast and Camden Hills.”

The Falcons fell to Foxcroft 39-36 and was then crushed by Noble 59-9 in the semifinals. The Falcons rallied to trail 33-30 against Foxcroft, but James McPhee decisioned Brendan Bradley 2-1.

Defending state champions Chris Smith won all four of his matches, while Dave Smith was 3-0. But freshman Derek Sicotte broke his shoulder 12 seconds into his initial match at 103.

“That’s the chances you take in an event like this,” Dolloff said.

Lisbon survived a scare from Dirigo. After Dirigo’s Devin Brann (2-1 at 160) tied the score at 27-27, the Greyhounds received pins from Mark Stambach (189) and Jay Sprinkle (215).

“Jay Sprinkle is agile,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “It was nice to see rather than have him holding back. But he trains with Elijah (Trefts), who is a big (football) lineman, and Jay doesn’t want to get caught underneath.”

Lisbon was led by state champions Justin Cornell (119) and Charlie Stambach (125). The Greyhounds beat Massabesic handily, before dropping a 54-18 match to Camden Hills.

Noble, Camden Hills and Foxcroft Academy are the defending state champions.

Dirigo lost three matches in the third period against Lisbon. The Cougars’ Jon Smith (2-1 at 125) allowed Stambach to escape with 20 seconds left in regulation and then lost in overtime. Kyle Meile lost a heartbreaker at 152. Derek Daley (103) and Mike Jonaitis (130) each won two matches.

“We’ll have something for Lisbon,” Watson said. “It could have gone either way. Even following a loss, the kids went out fighting in the next match.”

Oxford Hills received strong performances from sophomores Jack Pike (145) and Tom Moulton (152) and junior Don McLean at 215.