Dirigo

Co-coaches: Dana Whittemore and Gunnar Bradbury (first year)

Conference: Mid-State; Class: B South

Last year’s results: 20-11 duals, 4th B South, 6th Class B.

Returning athletes: Seniors — Jon Wainwright, Dalton Berry; Juniors — David Pelletier, Wyatt Lufkin, Nolan Degroot; Sophomores  — Dimitri Harvey, Jacob True.

Key losses: Bryce Whittemore, Hunter White, Colin Woodhead, Jon Flagg.

Promising newcomers: Seniors — Trevor Brown, Aaron Berry; Junior — Carl Touchette; Freshmen — Blaine Wilkins, Owen Libby, Jason Beaucage.

What to expect: Doug Gilbert stepped down as coach after 22 years, so the Cougars continue to rebuild with long-time assistants Whittemore and Bradbury, sharing the helm. After losing key scorers to graduation, the hope is to bring the new additions along to a level where they can help the team’s main scoring threats, Wainwright, Degroot and Dalton Berry, late in the season. The latter pair placed second and fourth at state, respectively, while Wainwright finished fourth at regionals.

Lisbon/Oak Hill

Co-Coaches: Ted Albasini (fourth year), Schyler Gagnon (first year)

Conference: Mid-State; Class: B South

Last year’s results: 4th Mid-State, 3rd B South, 14th Class B.

Returning athletes: Senior — Bradley Harriman; Junior — Zoe Buteau; Sophomore  — Jack Tibbetts.

Key losses: Kurtis Bolton, Danny Buteau

Promising newcomers: None at press time.

What to expect: The former rivals have formed a co-op with 13 wrestlers, eight from Lisbon and five from Oak Hill. Despite having just one senior, they expect to be very competitive in the Mid-State and regional championships. With six sophomores and two freshmen, they should gain ground as the season unfolds and hope to surprise at states. Tibbetts was first at regionals last year, Harriman and Buteau third.

Monmouth

Co-coaches: Shawn Schultz (15th year), Kyle Fox (12th year)

Conference: Mid-State; Class: B South

Last year’s results: 6-8 duals, 9th Mid-State, 10th B South.

Returning athletes: Seniors — Drew Blundon.

Key losses: Calvin Thompson.

Promising newcomers: None at press time.

What to expect: The Mustangs overachieved with one of the smaller teams in the state last year. Blundon was Mid-State runner-up at 220 as a junior but will compete with the middleweights this year. The rest of the team is young, new or making a major shift in weight class, so the goal is to gain experience and get better each day.

Mountain Valley

Coach: Gary Dolloff (15th year)

Conference: Mid-State; Class: B South

Last year’s results: 17-2 duals, 2nd B South, 3rd Class B.

Returning athletes: Seniors —Nate White, Mike Arsenault, Vinny Deroche, Isaac Therrien, Camden Mason; Junior — Darin Buono; Sophomores  — Alex Shorey, Everette Roy, Jasper Turner.

Key losses: Ethan Boucher, Caleb Austin, Eddie Deroche, Jesse Pelletier, Peter Cogley.

Promising newcomers: Anthony Mazza, Ethan Hastings, Matt Miles, Nate Leclaire, Robert Phillips.

What to expect: The Falcons have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of three-time state champ Boucher, two-time state champ Austin and the rest of last year’s leaders. But Dolloff likes the mix of youth and veterans, led by Deroche and Therrien and expects to be a team to watch in the postseason meets.

Mt. Blue

Coach: Justin Nile (third year)

Conference: KVAC; Class: A North

Last year’s results: 8th KVAC, 10th A North, 22nd Class A.

Returning athletes: Juniors — Jagger Bullen, Hayden Nile; Sophomore  — John Howard.

Key losses: Austin Seeley.

Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Adam Loewen, Jimmy Archer, Tucker Nicholas.

What to expect: The Cougars performed well last year with just five wrestlers. Numbers have increased significantly this season and they will have more opportunities to score with more weight classes. The goal is to continue to rebuild the program and have at least five wrestlers qualify and at least three place at states.

Oxford Hills

Coach: Tony Stevens (11th year)

Conference: KVAC; Class: A North

Last year’s results: 19-10 duals, 3rd KVAC B South, 4th A North, 7th Class A.

Returning athletes: Seniors —Dawson Stevens, Zuka Mabior, Dylan Cobbett, Jason Paradis, Jarrod Taylor, Justin David, Emily Smith; Junior — Jaden David; Sophomores  — J.J. Worster, Cole Dunham, Jayda Stevens, Sabrina Cothran.

Key losses: Jamal Hill (injured senior).

Promising newcomers: Senior —Shawn Hermanson (Buckfield independent).

What to expect: Numbers are strong at Oxford Hills, with a roster of 31 featuring big senior and sophomore classes. The Vikings plan to tap into their experience and variety of styles at practice to peak at the end of the season and challenge in the always tough KVAC and the state meet. Dawson Stevens made the podium and New Englands and expects to challenge for a state title. Mabior, Worster and Jaden David all reached the consolation finals at state last year. 

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