RUMFORD — Jared Bragg  won the 285-pound finals match as Ellsworth scored 136.5 points in winning its first championship at the McDonalds-Mountain Valley Invitational. The Eagles edged out Noble (136), which finished second in one of the closest endings at the 29th annual event.

Mountain Valley riding a resurgence this season scored 123.5 points to finish third led by individual champions Caleb Austin (112), Jake Thornton (126) and Zack Cross at 189. Foxcroft Academy 113 and Dirigo 69.5 rounded out the top five. There were17 teams represented at the tournament.

The competition was evident as the top three teams battled throughout the day. Mountain Valley led Ellsworth 97-94 after the semifinals, but the Eagles proceeded to win four championships.

“I expected the kids to come out and wrestle hard,” Ellsworth co-coach Dan Ormsby said.

Bragg’s pin was worth six team points.

”We wrestle for each other and this is the best Ellsworth team in (co-coach Travis Hardigan) six years of coaching here,” Ormsby added. “We have a great group and our backups are just as capable as our starters.”

Dagan Berenyi of Ellsworth won a 13-0 major decision over Brandon Gill. The Falcon wrestler and 2011 McDonalds champion at 126 had lost to Berenyi for third place in the state meet last season.

”Our team has certainly improved,” Mountain Valley coach Chris Bean said. ”We’re making inroads as a tournament team, but we can’t forget the kids who need the work that is necessary in order to reach (next level).”

Austin and Thornton each won tournament crowns for the second-straight week. Austin, a freshman, decisioned Austin Shorey of Noble 7-1 and Thornton executed a reversal with 30 seconds left in the match to win 3-22 against Jon Hankey of Oxford Hills.

”I knew I was behind, so I had to go,” Thornton said. ”He’s a strong kid and I certainly knew it was going to be a tough match. (Hankey) had beat me last year and again in preseason this year.”

Cross kept battling and pinned Lucas MacDonald of Dirigo, with one second left in the match.

”I had to keep moving,” Cross said. ”The coaches have been after me all the time to get off the bottom (defensive), so once I got (reversal) to get back on top (offensive) then I knew I was all set.”

In another twist, Sheldon Bang of Edward Little advanced to first final ever, who eventually lost a tough 5-3 decision to Trent Goodman.

”It may be a little tough having to travel to Oxford Hills (practice) daily because we get home late,” said Bang, after pinning Mountain Valley Dakota Jacques (third place) in the semifinals at 138.0 “But, I do it for the love of the sport and besides I’m a senior so it’s my last chance.”

Eddie DeRrouche, who wrestled for the Mountain Valley B team, won the 120 championship by pinning Antonio Ayala of Foxcroft. Mike Provencher (MV B team) was third at 132.

”When I looked at the brackets this morning I though oh no,” Derouche said. ”Then I won a tech fall (by 15 points) in my first match and settled down. Then when I saw Ethan (Boucher) lose. That was unnerving.”

RUMFORD —  It required dramatics of Jared Bragg winning the 285-pound finals match as Ellsworth  scored 136.5 points in winning its first championship at the McDonalds-Mountain
Valley Invitational. The Eagles edged out Noble (136), which finished second in one of the closest endings at the 29th annual event.

Mountain Valley riding a resurgence this season scored 123.5 points to finish third led by individual  champions Caleb Austin (112), Jake Thornton (126) and Zack Cross at 189. Foxcroft  Academy 113 and Dirigo 69.5 rounded out the top five; there was 17 teams represented.

The competition was evident as the top three team battled through out the day. Mountain Valley led Ellsworth 97-94 after the semi-finals, but the Eagles proceeded to win four championships.

“I expected the kids to come out and wrestle hard,”Ellsworth co-coach Dan Ormsby said.

Bragg’ pin was worth six team points.

”We wrestle for each other and this is the best  Ellsworth team in (co-coach Travis Hardigan) six years of coaching here, Ormsby added. We have a great group and our back-ups are just as capable as our starters.”

Dagan Berenyi of Ellsworth won a 13-0 major  decision over Brandon Gill. The Falcon wrestler, 2011 McDonalds champion at 126, had  lost to Berenyi for third place in the state meet last season.

”Our team has certainly improverd,”Mountain Valley coach Chris Bean said. ”We’re making inroads as a tournament team, but we can’t forget the kids who need the work that is necessary in order to  reach (next level).”

Austin and Thornton each won tournament crowns for the second-straight week. Austin, a freshman,  decisioned Austin Shorey of Noble 7-1 and Thornton executed a reversal with
30 seconds left in the match to win 3-22 against Jon Hankey of Oxford Hills.

”I knew I was behind, so I had to go,” Thornton said. ”He’s a strong kid and I certainly knew it was going to be a tough match. (Hankey) had beat me last year and again in preseason this year.”

Cross kept battling and pinned Lucas MacDonald of Dirigo, with one second left in the

match.

”I had to keep moving,” Cross said. ”The coaches have been after me all the time to get off  the bottom (defensive), so once I got (reversal) to get back on top (offensive) then I knew I was all set.”

In another twist, Sheldon Bang of Edward Little advanced to first final ever, who eventually lost a tough 5-3 decision to Trent Goodman.

”It may be a little tough having to travel to Oxford Hills (practice) daily because we get home late,” said Bang, after pinning Mountain Valley Dakota Jacques (third place) in the semi finals at 138. But, I do it for the love of the sport and besides I’m a senior so it’s my last chance.”

Eddie DeRrouche, who wrestled for the Mountain Valley B team, won the 120 championship by pinning Antonio Ayala of Foxcroft. Mike Provencher (MV B team) was third at 132.

”When I looked at the brackets this morning I though oh no,” Derouche said. ”Then I won a tech fall (by 15 points) in my first match and settled down. Then when I saw Ethan (Boucher) lose that was unnerving.”

Dirigo displayed its youth, earning five medals, en route to being the top Class C team.  Jesse Hutchinson (shoulder) had to injury default his final at 160. Defending champion Griffyn Smith placed third at 113, while Jon Flagg (106) and Hunter White (120) were each fourth.

”My goal coming in was to score 80 points,”Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert  said. ”We didn’t do it and a couple guys let us down. But, overall I’m pleased.”

Trever Henschel of Fryeburg decisioned Ian Austin (MV) 13-8 for 182 championship.

‘This is an eye-opener for some kids’,” said Fryeburg coach Bryce Thurston, who was missing Zak  Sheehan, McDonald’s outstanding wrestler in 2011, is wrestling at Hills School Prep. “It’s still early, but hopefully they realize that they need to get it in gear.”

In a match with defending McDonalds and state champions, Zach Stevens of Lisbon lost 4-3 on late escape to Brooks Law of Foxcroft, who was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler. Oxford Hills, was led by Malik Geiger who decisioned joe Grenier of Noble 6-4 to win at 170; Christian Jensen of Brunswick won at 106.

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