FARMINGTON – A slimmed-down Alex Johnson certainly hasn’t lost any of his strength. Johnson recorded the match’s clinching pin to power Mt. Blue to a 42-36 victory over Oak Hill in KVAC wrestling.
Mt. Blue (8-5) also recorded five pins in a 42-36 win against Brewer. Oak Hill (9-10) beat Brewer 42-28, but Medomak Valley (12-9) ruled the roast with three wins.
The holiday action provided each team with a healthy dose of competition.
“We’re just coming in to our own,” Mt. Blue coach Bob O’Connor said. “The team is continuing to improve. We beat Morse on Saturday, and we’re taking things in stride. We’ve received some good showings from our lightweights and others like (Ben Audet at 140) have looked good. But, I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”
Mt. Blue took a commanding 36-12 lead against Oak Hill, behind pins by Gordon Collins-Fauria (112), Sam Webber (119), Nick White (130) and Gary Begin (135). Collins-Fauria settled in a reverse half-nelson on Chris Lagasse, while Begin started aggressively to stick Tim Blais in 47 seconds.
Oak Hill roared back with pins by Alex Pruitt (far side cradle) and Josh Heckard on Cougars’ Robert Lauzier at 152. Pruitt executed three pins on the day and is 19-4.
“My takedowns have been strong,” Pruitt said. “Depending on who I wrestle (emotions) affect me, but if I’m wrestling a new kid, then I need to go all out.”
Johnson ended the Raiders threat by sticking Steve Guerrette in 1:41.
Sam Webber, a 2005 state finalist, improved his record to 18-0 and was on the mat for a total pf 93 seconds. The Cougar sophomore stuck Tyler Nadeau of Brewer with a cradle in 15 seconds and Brian Baker of Medomak Valley in 20 seconds.
“Each time I go out there, I’m thinking don’t get pinned,” Webber said. “I’m strong on takedowns, and a big thing for me is not being overwhelmed or intimated by an opponent.”
Mt. Blue held a double-digit lead against Medomak Valley, but the Panthers came back. Freshman Khali Parlar stuck Audet, and Eric Overlock slipped in for a takedown to beat Johnson 3-1 in overtime at 171. The Panthers’ Philip Genthner is 16-1 after throwing the Cougars’ Josh Brougham at 215. Brougham had the fastest pin on the day in nine seconds.
“The team has come a long way,” Medomak coach Phil Genthner said. “We’re just getting the kids where they need to be, based on the new weight management program.”
Oak Hill is enjoying its best season in several years, boasted by freshman Ken Pinnard (21-7, 10 pins at 103), who stuck the Cougars’ Kateleen Roberts and secured a head-and-arm on Cinnamon Nivers of Brewer.
“We’ve got numbers this year with 23 kids on the team,” Oak Hill coach Ric Swett said. “Also, the four freshmen starters are coming from our junior high program, which is a first for us. The kids like Pinnard and Clyde Tibbetts (160) enter high school with more experience on the mat.”
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