AUGUSTA – The overall depth simply wasn’t there for Mountain Valley, but senior Ernie Matthews had a mission to accomplish and he wouldn’t be denined.

Belfast overpowered its way to winning the 2009 Class B state wrestling championship Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

Oak Hill posted its best ever finish, placing third behind Camden Hills. Oak Hill state champions were freshman Keith Madore at 119 and sophomore Craig Morrill at 125.

Mountain Valley was led by Ryan Burgess (103) and Matthews (135).

Matthews executed cradle pins in the first two rounds. Matthews, a 2007 state champion, had been within seconds of repeating, but made a costly mistake in the ’08 state meet.

“I reached back and tossed my hip,” Matthews said, who used a chin rip to pin Jacob Powers. “It has been a favorite move throughout my career.”

Burgess won a tough 3-2 decision over Shane Daley of Wells. The two knew each other well, having faced each other several times. Burgess won 8-3 in the league final, but Daley had won 6-5 in regional title match.

“I feel 100 percent, today,” Burgess said. ”I wanted to wrestle Daley again. I got the takedown early and was able to slip in my legs and break him down.”

In the semifinals, the Falcons wrestler stuck Logan Rich of Camden Hills. Thornton, a sophomore, suffered a 6-5 loss in the semifinals and 4-3 to place fourth. Jack Simpkins of Camden Hills won the crown.

”We took some hits.” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. ”But, the kids have a good mindset and wrestled back. This was one of my best physically-conditioned teams.”

Belfast, the three time state champions, led Oak Hil by 35 points after the semifinals. Belfast and Oak Hill went head-to-head four times in the finals.

Belfast champions were Zack Shellenberger (152), Kote Aldus (160) and Travis Spencer (189). Spencer stuck Nick Wells of Oak Hill. Aldus, a New England champion, beat Dillon Tibbetts of Oak Hill.

Oak Hill had high expectations with six regional champions advancing to the finals – Dillon Tibbetts 160, Clyde Tibbetts 171, Nick Wells 189 and Adam Hathorne at 215.

Madore and Morrill each pulled out impressive semifinal victories.

“I’m just trying to make a name for myself,” Madore said. ”I’m only a freshman and I want everyone to know my name, next year.”

Tibbets had reached the 2007 finals and expected more this time. Tibbetts came close, but dropped a 3-2 decision to Konelis Wood of Belfast in finals.

”I wanted to make up for past disappointments,” Tibbetts said, who feels the Oak Hill program has a greater degree of confidence under coach Shane Bouchard. ”Coach has brought in new moves and works us hard.”

Hathorne, who has only been wrestling two years, is a firm believer in being confident.

”I only weigh 179 pounds,” Hathorne said. ”I need to eat in order to qualify to wrestle at 215, but I don’t get outmuscled.”

Mountain Valley scored well in the consolation semifinals, with all five placing fourth – Robert Worthley (112), Tim Ross (119), Taylor Carey (145) and Matt Duka (152).

”The kids had wrestled strong,” Dolloff said. ”They came out flat in con-finals. Worthley had beaten his opponent earlier in day. Chalk it up to a bad day.”

Jesse Sawin of Fryeburg was third at 285.

Each state champion has automatically qualified for the New England championships in New Haven, Conn. next month.