RUMFORD – The Lisbon wrestling team put itself in position to strike when the opportunity presented itself.

But Belfast was also there waiting and proved to be overpowering in the stretch by scoring 196 points to repeat as champions at the 24th annual McDonald’s Invitational on Saturday.

Lisbon (178.5) finished second behind champions Mike McNamara (125), Marcus Bubar (145) and Joe Doughty 215. The Greyhounds had been in contention throughout the day, trailing by 9.5 points, prior to the finals and consolation finals being held, simultaneously.

Still, Belfast’s two-time defending champions got some help from five individual champions Jordan Young (112), John Seekins (119), Zack Shellabarger (152), Kote Aldus (160) and Travis Spencer at 189. The Lions placed 11 wrestlers in the top four of their respective weight classes.

“Yes, we had an opportunity,” Lisbon coach Mark Stevens said. “We had lost a couple close matches in the semifinals against Belfast (Forrest Cornell, third at 112). Belfast is a better team, two who placed in New England and a strong supporting cast. It was a privilege for us to hang with them.”

The Lions’ roar began when Young upset Mountain Valley Ryan Burgess 7-6 and Seekins decisioned Josh Pomerleau of Lisbon 9-6. Burgess led 6-4, but got caught into a cradle with five seconds left.

“We are very fortunate,” Belfast coach Ted Heroux said. “We’ve got a nucleus of state champions and the younger kids stepped up. This is a good tournament team, and the program is strong in our town, plus we have some younger dedicated coaches.”

Dirigo finished third (128 points) behind several strong performances, including freshman Eric Homan at 103 and host Mountain Valley was fourth (106) as Ernie Matthews (135) repeated, and Josh Thornton got a reversal to secure a 9-6 decision over Ben Fredette of Winslow.

Matthews stuck Brandon Jonaitis of Dirigo with a spade.

“I had no concerns until his late switch,” Matthews said, as Jonaitis trailed 7-4. “My arm hurt a little, but I’m just determined after losing in the last 10 seconds at the state meet, (last February).”

Holman, seeded ninth, had won a wrestle-off against teammate Caleb Hall on Thursday. The freshman won a pigtail and then upset two-seeded wrestlers. The Cougar pinned freshman Mark Smith of Foxcroft (tight waist, reverse-half nelson) in the final

“This is only my freshman year,” Holman said. “I just go out there to win so I’m not going to change my goals based on today’s performances. It does give me added confidence.”

Cougar finalists were Tom Hines and Josh Palmer at 145 and 160, respectively. Hines lost a 10-1 major decision to Marcus Bubar. Palmer lost a hard-fought 9-6 decision to defending New England champion Kote Aldus of Belfast.

Dirigo had received additional momentum by winning four of four matches in the consolation semifinals (28 points). Ryan Lemay (119) and Alex Miele (152) each placed third over Mountain Valley’s Tim Ross and Matt Duka.

“I’m pleased with our showing,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “We placed eight, including freshmen Eric Holman and Bryan Blackman (third at 130), and the team came through to finish third.”

McNamara and Doughty each decisioned Belfast teammates Josh Robbins and Mark Smith. The Greyhounds’ finalists were Kyle Huston (152) and Art Stambach to Spencer, who won a fourth McDonald’s title.

Zack Chandler (171) of Mt. Ararat executed a double-leg takedown with 31 seconds left to decision Cam Bubar of Lisbon 7-5. Chandler, defending state champion, was voted the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. The award is named for former Rumford and Mountain Valley coach Jerry Perkins.

Falcon freshman Taylor Carey had lost to Marcus Bubar in overtime, but advance back to place third.

Jesse Sawin of Fryeburg was the champion at 285.