RUMFORD – Brothers Chris and David Smith welcome a rare opportunity to rewrite the record books and collect another state title for their high school.

The Mountain Valley wrestlers are each defending Class B state champions, and they are favored to repeat the feat in February. Of course, success isn’t new to the Smiths who were starters on the Falcons state championship football team last fall.

“There’s a lot of wrestling to go,” Chris Smith said. “But it would be extremely rewarding if David and I win states again. It would be great to go out on top as a senior, but being able to win both football and wrestling titles in the same year is a feat that we both want.”

This season, the brothers each have 11-0 records, including 20 pins.

Chris, a senior, has already won two state crowns at two different weight classes. Two years ago, he avenged an earlier loss by winning 7-5 in overtime at the Augusta Civic Center.

Chris was honored as the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Atlantic Invitational last week. In the finals, Chris jumped ahead early and eventually pinned Class C state champion Adam Tweedie of Bucksport.

“I have a lot of confidence after having won a state championship,” Chris said. “I consider it a privilege to have done it in the past. But I am still hungry to win it again.”

Chris also achieved a bit of history by eclipsing 100 career wins at the Atlantic. He joins a select group of former Falcons who have passed the century mark. They include Kyle Dinsmore, Eric Austin, Dusty Hackett and Jesse Peterson.

Both siblings were steadfast in their commitment to help Mountain Valley win the team title. The Falcons have built a strong tradition, winning multiple Mid State League and regional championships. But the team has never won a state crown, playing second fiddle to Camden Hills in four of the last five years.

“There is a difference,” David Smith said. “A state championship in wrestling is more of an individual achievement. Whereas winning the football championship was a team effort and it felt great. Chris and I want to grab that same type of feeling by being together as members of a Mountain Valley state championship wrestling team.”

The two might have different training routines, but they are aware of the weight difference. Despite weighing approximately 181 pounds, Chris is competing in the 189 class. David, who weighs about 263, towers over his older brother.

“I’m giving up a little weight to most opponents,” Chris said. “But it’s my own choice. I’m right in the middle, but we have (Tyler Childs and Chris Brennick) at 171, so I decided to go up and fill 189. I had been lifting for football and gained weight, but I feel stronger.”

Last season, the brothers each earned strong reputations by outperforming nearly every opponent on the mat. They devised their own strategies to carry through. Chris compiled a record of 39-2, which included a 10-0 set back in the finals at the Redskin tournament.

“He was from Danbury, Connecticut,” Chris said. “I remember the size of him because he looked so much bigger than 171 pounds. He controlled the entire match.”

David, in his initial varsity season, was 35-0 in-state and 37-3 overall. The lone loss during the season was in the semifinals at the Redskin.

“At the state meet, I was determined to win,” David said. “That was my objective, but I wasn’t being cocky, I’ve never been. Winning the state championship allowed me to achieve a goal.”

The younger Smith didn’t stop competing after the state meet. He learned a great deal about himself by training for and wrestling in the New England Championships. A pair of wins on the first day of competition advanced him in to the final four at 275. He eventually placed sixth and is the only Falcon wrestler to ever earn a medal in the New England tournament. Last summer, he traveled with the Friendship Series to Nebraska.

“I was amazed at winning my first two matches,” David said. “I was physically spent after my second match. My agility is definitely an asset. I may not be as strong as wrestlers from out of state, but I can move around the mat. It has helped me by playing other sports.”

Indeed.