DIXFIELD – Dirigo recorded several pins with a variety of moves, and it paid off with solid win against Monmouth and Traip Academy in a Mid-State tri-meet Wednesday

Dirigo (5-1) crushed Traip 75-6 and shut out undermanned Monmouth. The Cougars are still sky high following their impressive second-place finish at the McDonald’s Invitational last weekend.

“Were looking forward to this Saturday,” Cougar Jon Smith said, referring to the Atlantic tournament at Wells. “We have a legitimate shot at winning it for the first time ever. There was a little fooling around tonight, but we went out and got our pins. If we hadn’t, the scores could have been much different.”

In a highly anticipated match, Cougar state champion Derek Daley executed a series of pinning combinations for a 19-3 technical fall against Mike Danforth. The Mustang wrestler placed third at the state meet.

Dirigo freshman Chad Oakes stayed on the offensive and stuck Melanie McInnis in 50 seconds at 112. The Monmouth lineup has been devastated by injuries and ineligibility.

“It’s frustrating,” Monmouth coach Shawn Schultz said. “I’ll have six or eight wrestlers at the Bonny Eagle tournament, but for now we have been hit hard. I am anxious to see how many kids will wrestle on the middle-school team.”

Dirigo came out aggressively against Traip, and it paid off. Dekota Holmquist sunk in a reverse half nelson to pin Ryan Sirios-Tokar at 160. It was the Cougar wrestlers first-ever varsity match.

“I was a little nervous,” Holmquist said. “But I just went out there and tried moves that the coaches had shown me in practice.”

Cougar state champion Kyle Miele broke a 4-4 tie and pinned Matt Bubar in a spadle at 171. Pat O’Leary (285) needed 46 seconds, and Daley was attempting a cradle, but let go of the leg and secured a flash on Jeffery Stevens.

Jon Smith (9-0 at 140, state champion) pinned with a grapevine. Matt Smith won a decision at 145, and Josh Palmer waited out a pin at 152.

“Things are looking good,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “We’ll have the lineup we want, with Justin Bittrich at 215 and insert Brandan Jonaitis at 125, and he can help us.”