NAPLES – The Dirigo wrestling team utilized its depth to score 162 points and win the Mid-State League championship over bridesmaid Mountain Valley (154) on Saturday.

Class C state champions Jon Smith (140-pounds) and Kyle Miele (171), were joined by Josh Palmer 152 in winning individual championships for the Cougars. “Our freshmen stepped up,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “Dylan Castonguay placed third at 103 and Chad Oakes was a finalist at 112. We had a chance to put it away early with 13 advancing to the semifinals. But, this is a legitimate win.”

The archrivals were neck-to-neck throughout the long day and each had six in the finals.

Mountain Valley champs were Ben Mathews (145), Tyler Child (215) and Kyle Dow (285).

Mike Jonaitis (third at 135), Derek Daley (130) and Smith each reached their 100th career wins during the tournament. Smith recorded his with a pin in the finals.

“I felt confident after I put him on his back the first time,” Smith said. “One-hundred wins feels great, but now my focus is on regional and states.”

In the lone head-to-head final, Kyle Dow (285) of MV stuck the Cougars’ Pat O’Leary.

Lisbon finished a disappointing third. They were led by state champions Jeff Cossar (119), Tyler Clark (125) and Ryan Giusto (135). Clark pinned Ernie Mathews and Giusto executed a standing escape with 11 seconds left to decision Mountain Valley’s Derek Sicotte, 3-2. The Greyhounds Cam Bubar and Mike Bolduc and Kyle Huston each placed third.

“We didn’t wrestle well today,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “The younger kids are looking good, but we are still losing some close matches.”

Falcons’ state champion Tyler Child escaped with 45 seconds left en route to an 8-5 decision against Mark Stambach of Lisbon at 215. Stambach had won his 100th in the Essex finals last Saturday.

“We only had 12 wrestlers (14 classes) but we hung right with Dirigo,” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said.

Falcon Ben Mathews stuck Bill Berry of Wells at 145.

“I knew I was the better wrestler,” Mathews said. “He had beat me three nights ago. This time I went right after him.”

Daley was decisioned 13-8 by James Ruttledge of Lake Region in the finals. Mike Danforth of Monmouth beat Mike Gilbert of MV for third at 130.


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