WATERBORO — Every athlete wants to build upon his or her success and continually progress. For Leo Amabile of Massabesic High School, he has managed to do just that.

Amabile has been named the Journal Tribune’s MVP of York County for wrestling, for the second consecutive year.

Amabile began wrestling in first grade, he said, and has participated every year since then, even joining in summer wrestling programs, starting when he was in fifth grade.

His high school coach, Rick DeRosier, who has seen Amabile progress as a wrestler from the beginning, views Amabile’s commitment to the sport as one of his greatest assets.

“His biggest strength is that he’s always worked hard, he’s always put in extra time. He always does the extra stuff where no one wants to go,” said DeRosier. “As he misses certain things, he’s spent a lot of time on the mat.”

This past season was Amabile’s most impressive. He didn’t lose a single match, and was crowned state champion for the 113-pound class. The victory was sweet after coming in second in the state championship the year before, and third the year before that, he said.

Aside from his desire to grow his technique, DeRosier thought Amabile’s commitment to the weight room helped significantly.

“He worked more last year on lifting and it really showed with his strength,” DeRosier said.

Despite his state championship victory, both Amabile and DeRosier believe his greatest moment this past season came during the Spartan Tournament in Sanford — a gathering of some of the most talented New England wrestlers.

“I took on an opponent from Danbury, Connecticut and it was a great fight. The score ended up being tied at the end and went into overtime,” said Amabile.

“They were both tired, and Leo went for an all or nothing move, and he ended up pinning the kid. The crowd went absolutely nuts,” added DeRosier. “That lit a fire in everyone on the team.”

“It was an awesome moment,” said Amabile.

Off the mats, DeRosier has described Amabile as a true leader, helping out in youth programs whenever he can.

“He always gives back. He always gives quality time back to the youth program. He knows where he’s been and he sees some of the kids coming up through and helps out with the clinics,” DeRosier said. “He’s even refereed some of the youth tournaments and coached some of the youth wrestlers, because they look up to him.”

Looking to the future, Amabile is planning on attending the University of Southern Maine and joining their wrestling program.

“I’ve been talking with Coach Mike Morin there and I’ll be visiting to see how I like the campus and everything. But I’d love to wrestle there for four years and see where that takes me,” said Amabile. “I’m pretty exicited.”

 

 

 

 

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