Several area wrestlers will compete in the New England championships this weekend in Lowell, Mass., and for some it will be their last opportunity to shine on the mats.

Leading the way is Mt. Blue’s Sam Webber, who will be on a mission after placing fifth at the 2007 tournament. The two-time Class A state champion has been working on the little things, such as leg defense, power position on a front headlock, that hindered him last year.

“Sam is a great kid,” Mt. Blue coach Bob O’Connor said.

“A leader on and off the mat. Anyone who has been around Sam or has wrestled him knows he is the real deal and can compete at any level.”

Webber’s career record is 148-12, including 42-3 with his only losses coming at 135 pounds. A move to 130 has been productive, it has given him some added confidence and he regrets not moving down earlier.

Dirigo seniors Brett Staples (119), Derek Daley (135) and Jon Smith (145) will make the trek to Lowell, as will Derek Sicotte (140), who was Mountain Valley’s lone champion. Sicotte’s trip was long overdue because he previously lost twice in the state finals.

It will be the third trip south for Smith, who also won state crowns in 2006 and 2007. Smith was 43-0 this season and owns the school record of 150 wins.

“I feel confident as ever,” Smith said. “I’ve certainly have learned all I can at this point, so I know that I have to work on my conditioning. There’s no reason to go down to NE thinking you are going to pin every opponent. It’s a different style and getting the first takedown is important.”

Smith, who is the top Maine seed at 145, started strong last year with a decision in the first round and was ahead 7-4 in the quarterfinals, but lost. He split a pair of matches on Saturday, including winning a 13-3 major decision.

“At NE there is no easy match and the strategy is limited with a takedown, escape or ride because there’s a lot of stalling that is not called,” Smith said.

“I had a great year, individually,” he said. “Winning a third time was great, but it would have felt a lot better if the team had been able to win it all again.”

Daley, 42-1 this season and 147 career wins, won a 2-1 decision at the state meet after executing a takedown in the first period.

He’s the No. 2 Maine seed, and accomplished his goal of returning to the NE after winning a state championship in 2006.

Staples and Sicotte each dropped one weight class in latter part of season, and the moves paid off.

Staples, who only began wrestling a couple years ago, will be making his initial trip to the NE.

Sicotte had to overcome some adversity early on at the state meet because he felt sick. Thankfully, everything worked out and the Falcon earned the No.2 seed.

Lisbon has sophomore Marcus Bubar (140) and freshman Forrest Cornell at 103.

“We have been working out as much as possible keeping our conditioning in check,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “Winning the Essex (Vermont) Classic tourney was good for Forrest. It should give him confidence as he sets his sights on NE. Essex is a quality tournament.”

Maine is also sending Massabesic’s Josh Eon, who was a finalist at 171 last year, and his younger brother Joe, who placed third at 140. Four-time state champions include Chris Smith (119) of Deering, Jon Hussey (160) of Marshwood and Jarrad Rideout of Foxcroft Academy.

The four competitors each have numerous incentives to strive, including a trio of wrestlers from their respective schools who have placed in NE. Dan Waite of Dirigo placed fourth at 171 in 2000. MV brothers Chris and Dave Smith 285 each placed sixth in 2006. Dave also placed sixth a year before.