Maine wrestlers faced a major challenge this weekend at the 48th Annual New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championships  at the Providence Career and Technical Center.

Led by Brent Waterman of Belfast, who won the 132-pound championship, Maine won seven medals. Waterman beat Mizam Tamaradze of West Springfield, Mass., 10-7 in the championship match.

Connor Sheehan of Fryeburg placed fourth (113 pounds) for the second straight year. Sheehan lost in the semifinals on a takedown by Christian Monserrat of Metheun,, Mass. The Fryeburg junior won a 4-0 decision in first round and 7-6 decision over Marcel LaPlante of New Hampshire in the quarterfinals, but was decisioned by Brian Amato of Newington, Conn., 6-1 in the medal round.

Loisng their two matches were Lisbon’s Zach Stevens (120), Dirigo’s Caleb Hall (132) and Caleb Farrington of Mount Blue (170). Hall lost major decisions to Brandon Levesque (Bishop Guertin, N.H.) and Zack Thomas (Natick, Mass.)

Stevens, a sophomore, was eliminated in a close decision loss to Ian Whitis of Cheverus. Farrington left via an 8-2 loss to Tyler Mattison of Vermont.

Freshmen Tyler Craig of Mount Blue and Zak Sheehan of Fryeburg each won matches. Craig decisioned Max OConnell of Rhode Island and Sheehan posted a 17-4 major decision in the consolation.

Dan DelGallo (138) of Gardiner was leading in the finals, but couldn’t hold James Smith of Natick, Mass., who won 15-9. Rhett Chase (220) of Camden Hills finished fourth; Cody Hughes, Marshwood was fifth at 138; and Jared Jensen of Brunswick and Josh Andrews of Massabesic placed sixth at 152 and 220, respectively.

Timberlane, N.H., won its third straight team championship with 77 points. Daniel Hand of Connecticut was second.

The best Mainer teams were Belfast (27) in 21st and Marshwood (24) at 27th.