By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – What started out productively soon became a battle of wits at the 41st annual New England wrestling championships.

Dave Smith (275) of Mountain Valley placed sixth, after twisting his knee and having to default. Smith had pinned his opponents in the first round and broke a tie with an escape and takedown by a 5-2 decision in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Smith drew tourney-favorite Todd Calley from Concord, N.H., and a battle of wits transpired. Each wrestler executed a one-point escape, but Smith was penalized one point for locking hands.

“That was a low point,” Dave said. “First off, I did not lock my hands. But things don’t always go your way. Sure, I was mad, but you need to be humble in both victory and defeat.”

Older brother Chris Smith executed a head-and-arm hold to stick opponents in 37 and 45 seconds, but the Falcons senior lost a 3-2 decision to place sixth.

“I had planned on trying to work the move,” Smith said. “I had watched them warming up and saw that they left themselves open for a head and arm, in the consolation rounds.”

“I told Chris if he was going to try it, then get it in tight,” Falcon coach Gary Dolloff said. “The refs won’t call it potentially dangerous down here. They let a lot go.”

Justin Cornell and Charlie Stambach of Lisbon each lost tough matches on Friday night. Cornell was leading 4-1 when his opponent reversed the action and stuck the Greyhounds wrestler. Stambach was tied 0-0, but the Mt. Mansfield wrestler escaped with 30 seconds left in the match and held on for a 1-0 decision. Stambach had beaten his opponent twice during the season.

Seven Maine wrestlers advanced to the championship semifinals Saturday morning.

Two-time state champ Shane Webber of Mt. Blue won 5-4 at 135 pounds Saturday morning, but was later outpointed 9-4.

Cory Smith (189) of Oxford Hills was a victim of four takedowns in a 10-0 loss, and Brandon Bradley (215) of Mountain Valley trailed by one point with nine seconds left, and slipped off a takedown attempt.

The lone Maine wrestler to reach the finals was Dexter’s Chris Barkac, who dropped a 19-7 decision in the finals for the silver medal. Barkac, a four-time Class C state champ, placed sixth in the 2002 New Englands.

Kyle Bonin of Belfast placed sixth, Jeremy Barkac (103) of Dexter and John Hussey (125) of Marshwood each placed fifth. Josh Pelletier (215) of Foxcroft was sixth.