By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

WELLS – The performances on the mat were decisive for the Mountain Valley wrestling team.

The Falcons scored 166 points to lead wire-to-wire to repeat as champions at the Atlantic Invitational.

Mountain Valley was led by individual champions Ben Matthews (140-pounds), Aaron Arsenault (152), Brenden Bradley (215) and David Smith at (275).

Second-place Lisbon trailed Dirigo by one point prior to the consolation finals, but pulled ahead with 104 points. Dirigo (98) was third, followed by Hollis-Brookline (N.H.) and Marshwood.

Tyler Clark captured the 125-pound division for Lisbon.

Dirigo proved to be explosive with champions Derek Daley (119) and Kyle Miele (171).

The field at the annual event was comprised mostly of schools from the Mid State League. The MSL expanded to 12 teams this year, adding Wells, York, Fryeburg, Traip and Lake Region. It created numerous matchups, with the results being used for seeding at the league championships Jan. 28.

“With the extra teams in the MSL, the matches will mean more for seeding at the league and regional,”said Wells coach Mark Lewia. “There is a lot of strong competition here today.”

The Falcons, second-place Dirigo, Hollis-Brookline and Lisbon each scored heavily in the semifinals.

Lisbon and Mountain Valley will both compete in the Noble Invitational on Thursday and Friday.

Previously unbeaten Chris Cayer 140 of Mountain Valley was upset in the semis, but came back with a 10-0 decision in the consolation round to place third. Mike Gilbert (119) and Derek Sicotte (125) each placed third.

Matthews wrestled without hesitation, and Brenden Bradley executed a lateral drop on Mark Stambach of Lisbon. Stambach had defeated Bradley, 7-6, last week.

“I wanted to wrestle him,” Bradley said. “I didn’t like his comments in newspaper after our last match, so I went right after him today.”

Arsenault secured a head-and-arm to stick Billy Hardy of Wells. Teammate Tyler Child was decisioned by Adam Tweedie of Bucksport, while Smith stuck Matt Foley of Kennebunk. Smith, the two-time Class B state champion, is 9-0.

Elijah Trefts of Lisbon lost in overtime to Foley in the semifinals. Devin Bann was a finalist at 160. Miele, the fourth seed, pinned with a flash.

“It feels great,” Miele said. “I wasn’t looking for a certain move, I make mine up as I go along.”

There were upsets, beginning with No. 8 seed Jeff Pelletier knocking off No. 1 seed Nick Adams of Lisbon in the quarterfinals.

Jon Smith of Dirigo was humbled 9-5 by Marshwood state champion John Hussey. Smith had reversed Ryan Guisto of Lisbon in a heated semifinal match. Shawn Hogeland of Fryeburg decisioned Guisto 4-1 for third.

Jeff Cossar of Lisbon was decisioned in the 103 final. and Clark (17-0) stuck his opponent.

“I felt confident going in,” Clark said. “The fast pin didn’t surprise me because I was looking for a move to finish him off with.”

The Greyhounds Dan Cornell smoked Ernie Mathews of Mountain Valley. Andrew Dubois placed fourth at 152.

Oak Hill (14 points) found it tough sledding.

The Cougars’ Pat O’Leary 215 and Mike Jonaitis each fought through the consolation rounds to place fourth.

“This a good showing by the team,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said. “The kids continue to improve, and we had nine kids score points for us. Even those who lost matches showed our coaches something. A.J. Carrier doubled his win total here.”