RUMFORD — Quality and depth were the difference for Mountain Valley on Saturday. The Falcons scored 148.5 points to win the Mid-State League wrestling championship Saturday, rallying past Dirigo, which finished second with 142.

Mountain Valley won last year in what proved to be one of the most competitive meets of the year. This year equaled the effort.

The Falcons and Cougars battled throughout the day and were close entering the consolations and finals, which were held simultaneously. Mountain Valley individual champions Caleb Austin (120), Ethan Boucher (126), Eddie DeRoche (132) and Ian Austin (182) each earned four points (plus two points for a pin). The Falcons won three of four head-to-head matches in the finals against Dirigo, with Ian Austin delivered the clinching win.

The senior was aware of the situation and was all business on the mat, pinning Ryan Case of Madison in 1:43. Dirigo was led by champions Jon Wainwright (113) and Hunter White (138). Fryeburg Academy 121, Wells 74.5 and Oak Hill 73 rounded out the top five.

“I bumped-up the lineup today,” Mountain Valley coach Gary Dolloff said. “This was done to see where everyone could be most effective because we have the regional next week and the state meet the following Saturday. I’m glad we were able to wrestle some kids. So, right now, it’s all about points, points, points.”

Caleb Austin started the string by pinning Griffyn Smith of Dirigo. Smith is a two-time Class C state champion.

Boucher won the Class B crown as a freshman a year ago. Saturday, he used arm bars to made quick work of Dirigo’s Gus Brown. DeRoche followed by sticking Tucker Barnett with one second left in the match. The whistle drew controversy because the referee was tapped, prior to the pin being signaled.

“I’ve wrestled him several times this (season),” DeRoche said. “So, I knew what he was going to do. Like leaving his feet (exposed) in the neutral position. Then he wasn’t moving down on the mat, so I waited and caught him.”

Falcon Issac Therrin was stuck by Matt Day of Fryeburg in 160 final.

Dirigo also received a big win by White, who earned a hard-fought 4-2 decision against Brandon Gill of Mountain Valley. The Cougars’ wrestler withstood an attempted reversal. White was also named the meet’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Cougar freshmen Chase Thebarge and Wainwright each experienced mixed results, early in the finals. Oak Hill sophomore Danny Buteau went out aggressively and repeated as champion at 106, sticking Thebarge in 50 seconds.

Wainwright recorded the initial take down and stayed attack mode, pinning Jon Mackaman of York in 1:59.

“I went out there defensive,” said Wainwright, who had lost twice to the Wildcat wrestler. “Once I (secured) positioning, I could ride him and wait. He was standing, but not all the way up. I really feel comfortable on top.”

Bryce Whittemore had peaks and valleys also, beginning with winning a 4-2 decision against Dakota Jacques of Mountain Valley 5-0 in a semifinal match. Whittemore was unable to counter pinning combinations by Josh Smith of York, in the finals.

“We hadn’t looked good Thursday, and that was after having not practiced Monday and Tuesday,” said Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert, who earned Coach of the Year. “But, we looked good today, so I’m pleased. We knew Mountain Valley would be strong. But, putting seven in finals was really good.”

In any tournaments it is important for wrestlers who have suffered adversity to wrestle back and score vital advancement team points. Mountain Valley had Nate White and Jacques each place third, while Mike Provencher was fourth at 145. Cougars Spencer Vaughan and Lucas MacDonald each placed third at 170 and 195, respectively.

Fryeburg’s Trevor Henschel (195) and Angel Excalante (285) were champions. Henschel and Micheal Curtis (220) of Wells also won MSL titles. Curtis is a two-time Class B state champion.

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