Coach: Doug Gilbert (16th year)

Last year’s record: 12-6, fourth in Class C, second in Class C qualifier

Returning letter winners: Senior — Ryan Lemay (140); Juniors — Caleb Hall (119), Eric Holman (112), Bryan Blackman (145); Sophomores — Brett Whittemore (125), Justin Jasper (135), Thomas Barnett (152), D.J. Webber (171), Nelson Pepin (160), Zach White (189), Alex Snowman (215).

Key losses: Brandon Jonaitis (140), Chad Oakes (145),  Alex Miele (160).

Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Riley Lombardi, Adam Gill.

Outlook: The Cougars are young, but their sophomores saw plenty of mat time as freshmen and they’ve had a huge influx of freshmen who have been wrestling since second or third grade. Hall was a state champion as a freshman and finished third last year. Whittemore and Jasper also saw the podium last year, while Blackman, a state runner-up two years ago, is back after an injury sidelined him last season. Despite its youth, Dirigo will once again be tough to beat come tournament time.

Coach’s comment: “The sophomores got their lumps last year as freshmen, but we still finished fourth in the region and second in the state.” — Coach Doug Gilbert