This was the week Maine high school wrestling coaches had intended to focus on regional meets.

The regular season ended Saturday and for many teams, the plan was to wrestle hard in practice Monday through Wednesday, spend time on drills today, then taper off Friday in preparation for Saturday’s regionals.

But the weather changed all that.

Back-to-back snow days kept most wrestling teams off the practice mats for two days.

“It throws a big monkey wrench in our plans,” Westbrook Coach Ryan Hutchins said.

“We were hoping to make a push these last 10 days (before the regionals), and all this makes it difficult,” echoed Mt. Ararat Coach Erick Jensen. “Some of our kids have some pretty lofty goals and this is going to make it difficult. Every day is a chance to get into a little better shape and perfect a technique, and you miss those opportunities.”

While their wrestlers have been unable to practice the past two days, coaches have advised them to keep busy.

“Some of the kids have their own equipment at home — treadmills, and a lot of them live close to each other so they can get together and go for a run,” Hutchins said.

“I told the kids to do whatever they can. I said, ‘Go shovel your neighbor’s driveway. Make some money and get a workout at the same time.’ “

“Sitting at home during a snowstorm, watching television and eating junk food all day isn’t good,” Camden Hills Coach Levi Rollins said. “I don’t want them to have to cut weight on Friday and not be good for Saturday.”

But Rollins is sure his wrestlers, the defending Class B state champions, remained active the past two days.

“They’re at the point in the season where they’re in good shape and they know pretty much what they’ve got to do to prepare,” he said. “It’s a mental thing.”

Still, some coaches will make adjustments in their training schedules the next two days leading to the regionals, which will be held in Augusta, Bar Harbor, Jay, Rumford and North Berwick.

“It’s going to mean we’re going to have a three-hour practice (today),” Massabesic Coach Rick DeRosier said. “If you don’t practice for two days, you lose 35 percent of your conditioning.”

DeRosier wants to get the Mustangs, expected to challenge Noble, the two-time defending Class A state champion, in the Western Class A regional, back on track today before tapering off Friday.

“Friday night is usually a drill night,” DeRosier said. “Drills, and kind of perfect your technique.”

Losing two days of practice also means no team has gained an advantage.

“Everybody has got to deal with the same adversity,” Hutchins said.

“The one good thing is we’re in the same boat,” Jensen said. “With a storm like this, everybody suffers.”

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com