Falcon wrestling fourth in regional

YORK -- When Dakota Jacques stepped on the wrestling mat, he had a plan, although a diversion was necessary before the mission was accomplished in the 132-pound championship match.

Fryeburg brothers Connor (113) and Zach Sheehan won back-to-back individual championships to lead the Raiders (176.5 points) to the Class B Western regional championship Saturday over Wells at 153. Fryeburg proved to be the class of the field, however it was competitive. Wells had pulled to within six points, but the Raiders won five consolation semifinal matches by pin for 35 team points.

"Hopefully we can increase the lead because the team is on a roll," said Sheehan, two-time state champion.

Sheehan won a 15-0 technical fall over freshman Carter LaBrecque of Oak Hill. In the semifinals, LaBrecque had decisioned Mountain Valley's Mike Provencher by 5-1, who placed fourth.

York finished third 114.5, followed by Mountain Valley 96.5.

Jacques, trailing 5-2, showed superior balance in countering a reversal to pin Sam LaPointe of Wells with a power-half nelson.

"I was looking for the power half," said Jacques, who had split with LaPointe in two matches this season. "Knowing when to roll of a move, comes with having wrestled a lot and it gives me better balance. A goal was to win regional."

Brandon Gill of MV also reached the finals and wasn't taking Colin Sevigney of Wells lightly. Sevigney executed a five-point move in the first period and Gill utilized leg moves the rest of the match in a 6-0 loss.

"I need to protect myself,” said Gill, prior to the match after losing to the Warrior wrestler 11-0 in the Mid State finals. "I had let myself get caught a couple times. So I can't hold back and I need to use my legs."

The Raiders qualified 12 individuals for the state meet this Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

“It was nice to see Dakota win,” said Mountain Valley coach Chris Bean. “He works hard. As a team, we qualified seven of our eight wrestlers.”

The Falcons' Ian Austin 152 placed third, while and Anthony Boucher and Zach Cross (195) each placed fourth.

Zach Sheehan stuck Jake Thornton (MV) for the second straight week. The Raiders' Ian MacFawn also won a regional title by executing a double-under hook throw at 182.