Dirigo grapplers take Fryeburg

DIXFIELD -- Everyone requires an opportunity to test their respective skills and for wrestlers the best place to be is on a mat.

The live action proved to be exactly what Dirigo needed in an attempt to properly evaluate things early on.

Consecutive pins by Zack White, Cliff Boynton and Griffyn Smith doubled Dirigo's lead and it proved to be enough for a 42-30 triumph against Fryeburg Academy in a battle between Mid-State League foes at Defoe Gymnasium.

The Cougars (5-1) had started fast by crushing Oak Hill 72-6 by taking care of business with sevenstraight pins and 11 overall. The sticks certainly snowballed, with 10 executed in the first period.

“This is still a young team ,” said Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert. “We've still got things to work on and I took notes on every wrestler. We've got two home meets this season and the kids wanted to show the fans some things.''

The Cougars led Fryeburg by 18-9 when White (220) pinned Angel Escalante in the second period and Boynton followed by sticking Andrew Lyman with a head and arm in 43 seconds.

"He was a heavier than me,' said 'Boynton. “But I knew that he was inexperienced because he wasn't there last year. So, I waited to catch him and throw.”

Smith (106) pinned Lucas Spencer in 1:30 to lead 36-9.

Fryeburg made it interesting by winning four of final five matches. Connor Smith pinned Misty Steward and state champion Zak Sheehan stuck Gus Brown.

Even in setbacks, two of the Cougars' four freshmen showed grit. Lucas McDonald (195) lost 8-1 to senior Ian McFawn, while Spencer Vaughn came up shy 5-4 against Hunter Day at 145.

"The freshmen are learning,” said Gilbert. “We'll wrestle 40-plus matches during the season, so by February they won't be freshmen anymore.”

The Cougars' Brett Whittemore (152), Thomas Barnett (160) and Nelson Pepin (182) each stuck Raider wrestlers.

In the opener, Dexter Verrill set the tone by pinning Baylee Ayres with a power half nelson in 23 seconds. It created a storm as Vaughn, Whittemore, Barnett, DJ Webber (170), Pepin, McDonald, Smith and Brown each stuck opponents.

''The team is working hard,'' said Barnett. ''We have been concentrating on drilling the basics, takedowns and half nelsons. Because we need pins. That cost us (loss) against Foxcroft.''

Fryeburg is without two-time state champion Connor Sheehan, who suffered a broken ankle.