2023-24 wrestling preview capsules

DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Dana Whittemore (sixth year); assistants: Bryce Whittemore, Gunnar Bradbury, Bob McPhee
Class: B South
Last year’s results: Ninth at Class B state championships, seventh at B South regionals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Eli Lindus (144 pounds), Isaiah Bradeen (215); Sophomores — Kaitlynn Scott (113), Caiden Skidgell (126), Ethan Olsen (144), Amelia Mailett (138), Tanner Bradeen (157), Hunter Emmons (165), Gio Patterson (175), Jed Fields (285).
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Reeghan Nisbet (120), Zack Webster (165); Freshmen — Vinny Chapman (106), Leighton Waite (132), Kaeden Swan (144), Hudson Lufkin (150).
Season outlook: The Cougars are a young team, with only two seniors and no juniors, but coach Dana Whittemore believes it is a team with a lot of promise. Staying healthy will be a key, as well as the young wrestlers taking the next step forward by turning close matches that would have been losses last season into wins. Whittemore believes the two seniors (Eli Lindus and Isaiah Bradeen) will have strong seasons as they lead Dirigo’s young wrestlers in the right direction.

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Ben Madigan (first year)
Class: A North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: N/A (2023-24 is the program’s first season)
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Cody Vincecruz (132 pounds), Gavin Therriault (157); Sophomore — Merlin Smith (190); Freshmen — Cooper Blair (113), Evan Madigan (126), Lucas Goldrup (150), Izaac Martin-Poole (175).
Season outlook: Madigan said that as a new program, the goal for the Red Eddies is continuous improvement throughout the season. The roster is underclassmen-heavy, with 12 freshmen and four sophomores to go along with four juniors and two seniors. However, Madigan points out that five of the underclassmen had success at the youth and middle school levels. Many of the athletes are multi-sport athletes, which Madigan believes will help in their wrestling development.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Gary Dolloff (23rd year)
Class: B South
Last year’s results: Third at B South regionals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Lucas Libby (150 pounds), Nate Gamache (157), Kaden Paaso (190), Ceceila Gamache (190); Juniors — Vinny Duguay (144), Myles Smith (132), Aiden Gordon (144); Sophomores — Owen Gaudette (215), Chance Watson (120), Wesley Baultrus (285), Remi Gauthier (138), Grady Mack (165).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Keygan Boucher (113), Daeson Coolidge (175), Colton Gallant (138), Dakota Hamner (175), Linus Kroeger (106), Wynter Lantieri (126), Samari Lee (126), Mason Vradenburgh (165), Zach Spitzer (190), Catori Watson (106).
Season outlook: The Falcons have a great mixture or veterans and newcomers in their lineup, and Dolloff said there is great leadership, starting with two-time state champ Lucas Libby, last winter’s Sun Journal Wrestler of the Year. Dolloff called Mountain Valley’s schedule “awesome,” and noted that it should challenge the Falcons every week and help them peak at the end of the season when it is most important. He’s hoping the Falcons are in the mix for a top-three finish at the end of the season.

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Michael Hansen (second year); assistants: Sherrie Hansen, Evrit Roy
Class: A North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: Eighth at A North regionals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Noah Krzysztofiac, Kendall Foster (165 pounds); Sophomores — Preston Garland, Grace Allen (120), Brooklynn Webber (114), Logan Smith (100).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Dillon Gray (150 pounds), Roman Galkowski (126), Abigail Garland (107), Brooklyn Forbes (126).
Season outlook: With all of their top wrestlers returning, the Cougars have high hopes for this season. Hansen believes his team can compete for conference and regional titles and send many of its athletes to states. An all-girls club team was approved for the program this season, with hopes to have it approved for varsity status next year. Hansen expects the Mt. Blue girls to show out at states again, after having two state champs (Kendall Foster and Grace Allen) last year along with a finalist (Webber) and another placer (Smith). The boys also have two returning state finalists (Krzysztofiac and Garland).

OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Tony Stevens (15th year); assistants: Dawson Stevens, Seth McAlister
Class: A North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: Third at A North championships, second at KVAC Class A championships.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Nolan Hafner (165 pounds), Eitan Afriat (175), Dawson Mason (215); Juniors — Frank Lowans (150), Kendall Kovales (138), Sybastian Garry (144), Jordan Pollock (144), Hunter Wormwood (150), Kaelin Currier (285); Sophomores — James Terry (113), Curtis Fogg (157), Bryce Hazelton (157), Malaki Sparks (190), Chris Levesque (215).
Key losses: Bryce Atkisson, Brady Martin, Carter Hart, Challmers Russell.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Carson Wing (165), Eli Young (175); Freshmen — Tristan Atwell (106), Matthew Denlinger (120).
Season outlook: Most of last year’s team returns, though there are still only three seniors. Stevens said that means there will be plenty of opportunities for the freshmen and sophomores. The team, which returns state champion Christopher Levesque, is working toward improving on last year’s results and showing steady progression each week. The work ethic of the athletes will lead them to a successful season, according to Stevens.

WINDHAM/GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER/WESTBROOK WOLFPACK
Coach: John Nicholas (sixth year)
Class: A North; Conference: SMAA
Last year’s results: Fifth at Class A state championships, second at A North regionals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Gavin Tanner, Griffin Moreau, Chris Harvey, Own Pilsbury, Tyler Worcester, Vincent Madrid; Juniors — Ayden Cofone, Jameson Hart, Addison Leger; Sophomores — Ben Corriveau, Junius Pope.
Key losses: Scott Ingalls (182 pounds), Brody Simpson (160), Jason Hart (220).
Promising newcomers: Cole Tanner, CK Kennedy, Jake Watson, Lexi Hoot, Wade Leavitt.
Season outlook: The Wolfpack are coming off a season in which they finished second at regionals and fifth at states, and this year the program boasts 30 athletes on the roster. Among them are three returning all-state wrestlers in Ayden Cofone and Gavin Tanner — who both won individual state titles — and championship semifinalist Griffin Moreau. With what coach John Nicholas said is a strong core and an overall talented roster, this should be a successful season for the Wolfpack.