PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Looks can be deceptive when studying wrestler Peter DelGallo.

His demeanor on the mat and his competitive nature has provided him with a stellar career and a second title at the 52nd annual New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship this weekend.

DelGallo (120-pounds) of Gardiner and finalist Cody Craig (106) of Skowhegan were among the nine Maine wrestlers who earned medals at the two-day double elimination event, which was held at the Providence Career and Technical Academy.

There was plenty of surprises throughout the action, but it was DelGallo who certainly rose above the rest when he decisioned New Hampshire’s Connor McGonagle Timberlane 7-2 in the finals. The Gardiner senior was voted the most outstanding wrestler of the tournament. The four-time state champion had won a NE championship as a freshman in 2013 and medaled four years at the prestigious tournament.

“At New England (objective) is to go hard and fast,” DelGallo said.  “In the semifinal match, once I got ahead I needed to avoid getting in cradle because ( Rhode Island’s Christian Hussey of east Providence) was trying to lock his hands for one. Now, as for Connor, I need to get that first takedown.”

DelGallo obviously had a clear vision because he indeed secured a double-leg take down against McConagle (who hadn’t been taken down in the tournament) and immediately earned two near-fall points. In the third period, McConagle cut DelGallo loose for escape, but it was DelGallo who executed another takedown. McConagle lived in Rockland, Maine and transferred to New Hampshire last summer.

“Peter has worked hard and he is extremely good on his feet,” said Gardiner coach Matt Hanley, who has also coached DelGallo’s older brothers Matt and Dan, who won multiple state championships and medaled at New England. “After my practices, Peter would go looking for another practice. Like Erik Jenson’s at Mount Ararat/Brunswick where they are up-tempo, and he likes that.”

Craig had developed a strategy and had a pair of takedowns and led fellow state champions Jake Ferri Shawsheen entering the third period. Ferri alertly cut Craig loose and with 1:06 remaining, executed a takedown and with a raised leg scissors and earned three-near fall points en route to an 8-5 decision.

”It has been quite a ride down here. It began with my quarterfinal match (one-point win),” said Craig, who had lost to Ferri 5-4 in the finals at the sophomore nationals in Virginia Beach last summer. “I needed to go out there and force the issue.”

Craig had used that ploy during the match by being aggressive with two takedowns in a 5-1 decision against Jack Garland. The win had actually tied Skowhegan 44 points for first with eventual team champion Bishop Hendricken. The Rhode Island school finished with 89 points, followed b Connecticut teams New Town, Conn., 60.5, New Fairfield, Conn., 58 and Danbury. Skowhegan (seventh, 48 points) was the highest ranking Maine team.

The New England style of wrestling swallowed up a majority of area wrestlers, including Dirigo’s Griffyn Smith (113), Hunter White (138) and Bryce Whittemore (152). Mountain Valley’s Caleb Austin (126), Ethan Boucher (132), Eddie DeRoche (145) and Danny Buteau (120) of Oak Hill. They won one of 15 matches led by White who was trailing 11-4, but reversed the action and recorded a pin. DeRoche was scoreless after two periods, but Zach Caron of Foxcroft Academy executed a reversal to win 2-0. Austin lost 1-0 and 6-4 and Smith was derailed by a late takedown.

“This is typical of New England wrestling. Regardless of how good Maine wrestlers think they are, they come down here and get humbled,” Maine Friendship team leader Bob Craig said.

Other Maine medalists were third places by Andy Shorey (120) of Noble, Bradley Beaulieu (132) of Marshwood and Christopher Wilson (195) of Nokomis; fourth by Karmeon Doucette of Skowhegan at 160 and Robert Heatherman (170) of Mt. Ararat/Brunswick. Micheal Prentiss of Foxcroft placed sixth at 215.

“It’s just so frustrating,” Foxcroft Academy coach Luis Ayala said. “We watch these kids work through their moves through out the season. But down here they are a second behind (executing) those same holds”

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