AUGUSTA – The strength of Foxcroft Academy proved too much again as the Ponies captured their second-straight Class C state wrestling championship over runner-up Dexter on Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.
Foxcroft rang up 183 points, while Dexter tallied 144.5. Lisbon finished third at 138.
Foxcroft led entering the finals and pulled away in the upper weights. Lisbon earned titles by two-time champions Justin Cornell (112-pounds) and Charlie Stambach (125), who each won by pin.
“I’ve learned that you can’t expect help from other teams in a tournament like this,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “You really need to take care of business. Foxcroft was just too strong.”
Foxcroft led by 40 points after eight wrestlers won in the semis.
Cornell (25-2) repeated as state champion with a 45-second stick. Stambach used movement for a major decision, 13-4, over Dirigo freshman Jon Smith. The Greyhound senior is 28-4.
Fifth-place Dirigo (68 points) entered the day beaming with confidence, which showed on the mat. Sophomore Mike Jonaitis (130) reached finals again, however, he was stuck Chris Barkac of Dexter. The Tiger wrestler won his fourth-straight title. Cougar freshman Derek Daly was stuck by two-time state champion Jeremy Barkac in the 103 final.
“I was a little nervous today, but confident,” Daley said. ‘My moves were working smooth today. The team worked hard. I practiced and it helped me.”
The Cougars’ Randy Hall was fourth at 171.
The Greyhounds’ finalists included Ryan Guisto (135), Josh Dubois (140), Nick Adams (152), and Jake Sprinkle (215). The Ponies earned titles by Cyle Heaney (119), Ryan Wittimore (145), Caleb Pelletier, Adam Pomeroy, Brady Briggs (171), and Josh Pelletier (275). The Hounds’ Jeff Cossar took third at 103 and Elijah Trefts finished fourth at 275.
Chris Barkac of Dexter became the seventh-ever wrestler to win four state championships.
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