MT. ARARAT MIDDLE SCHOOL competed in the West Regional Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at Mountain Valley High School. The Eagles took home second place, with three wrestlers capturing first place in their respective weight classes. They will compete in the state championships this upcoming weekend.
Overall, the Eagles totaled 151 points on the day, just behind Mountain Valley, which took home first with 160 points. Nokomis (143.5), Cony (113) and Oxford Hills (105.5) rounded out the top five in Saturday’s competition.
The Eagles team was comprised of a strong group of sixth, seventh and eighth graders coached by Mike Taylor, Terrance Kinney, Ken Kowalsky and Dean Jusseaume.
Each wrestler was noted as being dedicated, focused and driven, and were praised for their sportsmanship.
On Saturday, 8-of-15 boys qualified for the state championships, which are to be held this upcoming weekend at Cony High School. Isaac Ducat took home fourth place, while teammates Cody Holman and Josiah Langworthy finished third. Ben Laurence finished in second.
Three champions came out of the Eagles wrestling team. Caden Kowalksy, Jett Gould and Colby Gardiner were all able to pin their opponents to take home first place in their respective weight classes. Independent wrestler Brady Mitchell from Brunswick Junior High School was recognized for his hard work, along with other Mt. Ararat wrestlers, including Brett Raio and Lucas Rousseau.
Daniel Jackson, Riley Morin, Anthony Martines and Jacob Godbout were first-time wrestlers and have made strides throughout the season.
Other local teams that competed in the regional tournament were Sugg Middle School from Lisbon Falls and Bath Middle School.
Sugg’s Xavier Adams and Bath’s Austin Baltazar matched up in the 117-pound weight class in the Championship Finals. Adams was able to get the edge on Baltazar, pinning him in 2:36 to take home the gold.
Donavin Rector added to the medal list for Bath, coming in second after a 19-2 technical fall to Nokomis’ Quinton Richards. Sugg’s Michael Stoueken battled Mt. Blue’s Hunter Gleason, but grabbed second place after falling just short after being pinned at the 1:12 mark.
Bath’s Rakalin Buford finished in third place, while teammate Mason Savary captured fourth to round out the top finishes for Bath. Logan Little and Justin Merrill each placed fourth in the Consolation Finals for Sugg.
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