Local wrestlers compete in New Englands

NEW HAVEN, CT -- The Maine wrestlers discovered how competitive the next level is at the 47th Annual New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championships. The nature of the beast became evident in the two-day event at the spacious New Haven Athletic Center.

Multiple state champions Ryan Burgess (112) of Mountain Valley and Eric Coulombe of Monmouth both won consolation matches. Burgess, with a school record 150 career wins, had suffered a 5-1 loss to decision Andrew Chase (Bristol Eastern-CT) in the first round. The Falcon senior regrouped to pin Mark Smith of Foxcroft in the second period, but his third-straight trip to the event ended with loss by major decision. Coulombe won 16-3 and pinned Stephen Jarrell (East Greenwich-RI), then lost a 5-2 decision.

Fryeburg’s Connor Sheehan (103 pounds) and Jacob Powers (160) of Camden Hills each placed fourth. Sheehan won three of five matches, lost in the semifinals to the eventual champion. The Raider sophomore won a major decision in the consolation semis, but lost 7-3 in the medal round. Mike Cyr of Scarborough placed third at 215.

Two and out was the theme for Lisbon’s Nick McNamara (103) and Josh Pomerleau (119); Mountain Valley’s Josh Thornton (145), Taylor Carey (171), Josh Allen (189) and Christian Durland (215). Carey and Durland each wrestled strong, but lost 3-0 and 5-4 decisions, respectively.

Dirigo sophomore DJ Webber (160) was pinned twice. Danny Waite is the lone Cougar to have placed fourth (2000) in New England.

“The action isn’t intended for the faint of heart,” said Mount Ararat assistant coach Ted Reese. “There’s no feeling out your opponent, so using defensive styles won’t suffice. A snap down or hard jerk forces him to step forward, shoot immediately and keep shooting multiple shots. The top competition reacts quickly and maintaining intensity counter acts it.”

Lisbon and Mountain Valley each had five wrestlers, but there was little margin for error. Forrest Cornell (119) of Lisbon lost 8-0 in the first round and then lost a 4-2 decision to Jake Rasque of Marshwood. Cornell fell behind 4-0, executed a reversal and exposed Rasque’s back to the mat, but couldn't hold him two-seconds for near-fall points.

Timberlane, NH (118.5 points) repeated as team champion, and Scarborough was the highest ranking Maine team.