NEWPORT — Griffyn Smith knew he couldn’t take anything for granted in a big meet, and the Dirigo standout wrestled with a purpose Saturday en route to winning an individual championship at the Nokomis Warrior Clash.

Despite Smith’s win, Skowhegan’s depth proved to be too much for the rest of the field. The Indians earned six individual titles and scored 186 points to repeat as the team champion, easily outdistancing Dirigo (103) in second.

The Cougars were second throughout the day and held off vastly improved Oxford Hills team (93 points). Foxcroft Academy (84) and Nokomis (67) rounded out the top five. The Vikings had pulled to within 88 to 81 points, after the consolation semifinals.

“This was a great showing,” Oxford Hills coach Tony Stevens said. “The biggest difference is everyone is still enjoying being at practice and pushing each other. Our (success) has been an ongoing process, but we are continuing to improve.”

Skowhegan pulled away after winning nine semifinal matches, scoring 121.5 points. The championship bracket is point-heavy. Each winning wrestler has an opportunity to earn 14 points (10 points, plus two-advancement and a pin is two points).

The Indians proved to be dominant, with Cody Craig (106), Samson Sirois (113), Tyler Craig (126), Julian Sirois (145), Kameron Doucette (152) and Logan Stevens (160) each winning their respective weight classes.

“Wrestling year-round has definitely helped,” said Cody Craig, an unbeaten sophomore who won at the Noble tournament last Tuesday. “Most of the guys who wrestle year-round tend to be the better wrestlers and going out of state increases the level of competition. So, when we come here, we are not (intimidated).”

Dirigo began the by splitting two head-to-head matches against Skowhegan. Cougar freshman Jon Wainwright was pinned in the second period by Samson Sirois.

“I was familiar with him from youth tournaments and had crushed him,” said Smith, who secured a spadle to stick Jon Bell in second period. “But, I couldn’t go out there thinking that way. No doubt he has improved and he had advanced to the finals of this tournament.”

Smith started out offensive and executed a takedown and two-point near fall, in the initial period. The Cougar executed a reversal early in the second period and bided his time.

“I was just out there at that point,” Smith said. “I waited to see what he would give me. Bell) exposed his foot, so I just flipped him over.”

Dirigo, the two-time defending Class C state champion, had scored well with Hunter White (138 pounds), Bryce Whittemore (152 ) and Lucas “Bull” MacDonald (195) each placing third. Whittemore out-pointed Dempsey Carigan of Maranacook and MacDonald was solid in a 12-6 decision against Tyler Wallace of Oxford Hills. The Cougars’ Spencer Vaughn placed fourth at 170.

“We didn’t earn it today,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said after the team lost six of eight semifinal matches. “We haven’t been overly (successful) in the semifinal round, but with no seniors every one will be back next year. So, our goal will be putting five in the finals. We took practices easy over the break because we are traveling early the next three weeks. Hopefully, the rest will pay off.”

Oxford Hills’ Malik Geiger (182) started fast and overcame a near-disaster roll, to repeat as champion. The Vikings’ Zach Harris (170) was stuck by Abraham Eaton of Gorham, in the finals. Taylor Gudeahn-Alleano placed third at 126, as did Viking teammate Dawson Stevens who pinned Terry Stover of Mt. Blue.

In a rivalry match, Doucette held off Brooke Law 4-3. Law had broke his older brother’s record for career wins at Foxcroft, quarterfinal 168. The elder Law was in attendance, who is home on leave from the Army.

“We always have close matches,” said Doucette said, who was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler. “I had beat him in overtime at Noble. We are good friends and talk between matches, but not when we are on the mat.”

Emily Levesseur of Monmouth placed fourth at 113.

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