By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

It has been said that a person is only as good as the people they surround themselves with.

In wrestling, numerous activities must be accomplished in order for each team to succeed. These actions usually are carried out behind the scenes by managers, who are the unsung heroes.

Kayla McAlister completed a four-year career as manager of the Oxford Hills wrestling team. Her dedication and tireless work has been recognized nationally by Wrestling USA magazine, who named her an honorable mention for manager of the year.

“Being a manager of a wrestling team is probably one of the least glamorous jobs,” Oxford Hills coach Mark Dolloff said. “Kayla always takes responsibility and shows initiative when performing her duties. She maintained all this in a very professional manner, while placing great pressure upon herself to complete every task within the time frame allotted.”

She developed a system for training other managers. At tournaments, McAlister was asked to keep the books, during the most crucial semifinal and final matches. The match scores need to be calculated immediately and written in the scorebook instantly.

Her ability gained the respect of opposing coaches and officials.

McAlister has plenty of experience, having been the Vikings manager since the seventh grade. Kayla was introduced to wrestling by her older brother Seth, who was a two-time Class A champion and is a redshirt freshman at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

McAlister also maintained the team’s laundry, helped with news releases, school announcements and cancellations, filed results with the athletic director, and maintained the records throughout the season.

Academically, McAlister Kayla is ranked 14th in her class of 275 students and works as a CNA on weekends and nights.

“I have gained the utmost respect for Kayla and all that she does for me and the rest of the team,” Dolloff said. “She always puts the team before anything else while she is in season. She is a straight A’ student and an exceptional young lady. She truly epitomizes the word manager and will not be easily replaced.”

Foxcroft wrestler All American

Josh Pelletier of Foxcroft was named an honorable mention All American by Wrestling USA.

The three-time Class C state champion capped off a brilliant career by winning a New England championship. In the final, Pelletier executed a throw late in the third period that clinched a decision against the Massachusetts state champion.

After posting a 1-0 win in the semifinals, Pelletier was trailing 1-0 against Tom Ferrel of Mount Manfield, when he broke a wrist grip and tossed the bigger opponent with 29 seconds left for a reversal and near-fall points.

‘It definitely helped having been here before,”Pelletier said after the meet. “Last year, I didn’t know what to expect, but this year we had a plan. I just knew I’d have to work hard to get off the bottom.”

The senior compiled a 110-11 career record. His lone loss this past season was a one-point decision to Dave Smith of Mountain Valley. Pelletier avenged the setback, by beating Smith two week later. Pelletier decisioned Elijah Trefts 3-2 in the state final.

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