AUGUSTA – When it came time to score points, Dirigo wrestlers stood above the rest to capture the Class C state championship with at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday.

The Cougars hadn’t won a state crown since 1996, but they took the crown with a 183 points.

The Lisbon Greyhounds grabbed second with 171 points, edging Dexter (127) and Foxcroft Academy (112).

Dirigo was impressive as Derek Daley (130 pounds), Mike Jonaitis (135), Jon Smith (140), Josh Palmer (152), Kyle Meile (171) and Pat O’Leary (285) turned in stunning performances.

Lisbon’s champions included Jeff Cossar (119), Tyler Clark (125), and Mark Stambach (215). Cossar and Clark each won each their second state crowns.

Smith (40-0) decisioned Bucksport’s Jon Pelletier. Daley, Smith and Miele were each state champions in 2006.

The Cougars depth was expected to be an asset and it proved accurate. Meile pinned Fort Kent’s Khalil Lesaldo. The Cougars’s Dylan Castonguay took down Foxcroft’s Mark Badeau with a pin in the 103-pound match.

Chad Oakes (112) fell to Foxcroft’s Kaleb Mann by a decision of 6-4. Brett Staples (119) lost to Lisbon’s Mike McManus by pin. Adam Gatchell lost in the 160-pound class, but Dirigo’s Kevin O’Leary (189) beat George McLean of Madison in a 10-2 decision.

The Cougars’ Mike Jonaitis (135) lost to Lisbon’s Mike Giusto by a decision of 6-4. Jonaitis and Palmer had each been state finalists for Dirigo Jerimiah

Barkac (112) of Dexter won his fourth state title, and Jarod Rideout of Foxcroft won his third crown.

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