DIXFIELD – Josh Palmer has never avoided a challenge.

For the past three seasons, Palmer has advanced to the Class C state wrestling finals and was unable to reach the next level. The Dirigo senior has accepted those heartbreaking outcomes, but remains determined to complete his mission.

“Everybody likes to judge wrestlers on appearance, physical ability, but in my eyes, wrestling is 90 percent (mental ability),” Palmer said. “If you can’t focus yourself, and let go of everything around you, a kid with less physical ability can beat you. There comes a point in a wrestler’s life where he needs to find that place.”

Palmer discovered as a freshman that nothing comes easy in wrestling, realizing that it requires dedication and sacrifice to succeed. He had wrestle-offs, including Jon Smith and Mike Jonaitis, before bumping up to 145. He started out at 133 pounds, but he also knew it was in his best interests to gain more weight to qualify. But that bump in weight also pitted him against heavier and experienced wrestlers, who scared the heck out of him.

The Peru native hadn’t won a preseason match at 145 and was dealing with a dreaded sophomore slump. Prior to the McDonald’s Invitational, Matt Smith hurt his shoulder, so Palmer bumped up and won the tournament. He stayed at 152 and learned a valuable lesson in the state finals again.

“I had beaten my opponent during the season,” Palmer said. “I met him in the state finals, and I knew I could beat him, and I lost my head, instead of wrestling offensively and wrestling to win, I wrestled not to lose, and that’s where I lost it.”

In 2006, Dirigo completed a trifecta by winning the Mid States regional and state championships.

Palmer was faced with a choice last winter to either go up or down a weight class, but ultimately decided to do what was best for the team. This move or non-move to 160 pounds presented a road block for individual success. One of the best wrestlers in the state was in the way when the highly-anticipated matchup occurred.

The odds were stacked against the Cougar wrestler because Jared Rideout of Foxcroft was attempting to win a fourth state championship in front of a rowdy home crowd. The final score was 7-2, but that was deceiving. Palmer attempted a desperation throw with 10 seconds left, but Rideout recorded a takedown.

“He’s a quiet leader,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “It’s not in his nature to go out and be vocal about things to the rest of the team. Josh leads by example, and I credit a lot of success the football team had to his leadership. He was focused on how the team’s success and individual efforts came secondly.”

The Cougars compiled an 8-2 record; Palmer earned all-conference honors.

“Yes, we did have a good football season,” Palmer said. “I hope some of that carries on to the mat because we have a lot football player/wrestlers, and I hear wrestlers make good football players. And it is back to my eighth grade year, over half of our lineup is from Peru.”

This past summer, Palmer competed in a tournament at Hampden Academy and was informed New England champion Kote Aldus was in the same weight class.

Palmer welcomed the challenge.

Palmer has won 73 matches the past two years (100-22, 63 pins in career), three regional championships and was state finalist three times. He has placed in the top three of every tournament since fourth at the Mid States (Leagues) as a freshman.

“I want/need this one so bad,” Palmer said. “I do have 100 wins under my belt already, but I really want a state championship to show for my high school career. I’m hoping I can get 47 (wins) this year. I’m chasing down Derek (Daley) for the second most wins in Dirigo – he has 147. I’m team oriented and all, and of course I will do both team and personal goals, but one (state crown) is a little more important this late in my career.”