NEWPORT — After having endured a rigorous match, it felt anti-climatic when Stewart Buzzell stepped off the mat.

But the Monmouth wrestler was fully aware that his performance was championship caliber at the Nokomis Warrior Clash.

But Skowhegan’s depth was certainly factor as scored180 points to repeat as the team champion by easily outdistancing Dirigo (108), which finished second again.

Dirigo was led by finalists Hunter White (120-pounds), Jesse Hutchinson (160) and Julian Baldinelli (215). The Cougars, who were second throughout the day, held off Wells (85), Nokomis (78.5) and Dexter 74. The championship and consolation finals were competed simultaneously on adjacent mats.

Skowhegan pulled away after winning nine semifinal matches and earning seven championships. The Indians dominated with Skowhegan’s Cody Craig (106), Cooper Holland (112), Tyler Craig (120), Julian Sirois (132), Kaleb Brown (152), Logan Stevens (160 and Mikal Federici at 182.

”These kids are working hard,” Skowhegan coach Brooks Thompson said. ”They are all friends and push each other. Even the kids who lost today will hopefully learn from it.”

“The guys who finish in front in our sprints were finalists,” said Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert, regarding the lack of physical conditioning that cost several wrestlers in the third period. “You only get out of wrestling what you are willing to put in to it. There is no room for excuses.”

In tournaments, there are always questionable calls, and the Clash was no exception. Buzzell stayed the course when his 145 finals match with Cameron Doucette of Skowhegan ended abruptly. Buzzell, defending Class C state champion, had executed a reversal to break a scoreless tie with 57 seconds left in regulation. Doucette scored an escape and received one penalty point to tie, 2-2. In the extra session, the two competitors squared up, but couldn’t manage a takedown.

”I wanted to get the first shot in and tried, but it didn’t work,” said Buzzell, who grabbed Doucette’s leg, and the Indian wrestler was promptly called for stalling when he stepped outside the circle. ”I certainly didn’t want (match) to end that way.”

Moments later, Hutchinson was in a fierce battle with Stevens that was 0-0 . Stevens had slipped his arm through legs and was attempting a turk, when Hutchinson exposed his shoulders at the mat and immediately rolled back. The referee awarded Stevens two-near fall points with 10 seconds left in the match.

”I’m just excited to be back,” said Hutchinson, who recently returned from an injured collar bone. ”This is my senior year and my last chance to do some thing. Once your out and then come back you really (appreciate) it and want it even more.”

The finals started fast as Cody Craig, a freshman who won at the Noble tournament last Saturday, pinned Calvin Thompson, Holland pinned Taylor Alleano of Oxford Hills. Tyler Craig, two-time a Class A state champion, then stuck White.

”I hadn’t expected to lose (third place at Noble) but you can’t dwell on that,” Craig said. ”You need to keep moving on and my goals are to win states again and (fifth) improve at New England.”

Oxford Hills Malik Geiger won at 170 by sticking Jacob Richard of Nokomis in 51 seconds. Sheldon Bang of Edward Little lost a hard-fought 7-4 decision at 138 to Class B state champion Colin Sevigney of Wells. Jon Harkey (126) of Oxford Hills and Red Eddie Skyler Bang (145) was third.

Baldinelli, was a champion at the Atlantic Invitational last month, was caught by Job Mesaric of Mount View.

”It’s tough going against (heavier) guys,” said Baldinelli, who wrestles at 220, despite weighing out at 187. ”I have to use a lot of leverage on them.”

Dirigo needed to recover after losing five SF matches, but Jon Flagg (head-and-arm pin at 106 and Bryce Whittemore (132) each placed third. A trio of Mt. Blue wrestlers — Danny Reed (138), Nick Hickey (160) and Tyler Sennick (195) — each placed third.

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