SANFORD

The goal of every high school wrestler is to win a state championship. While they weren’t able to reach the top of the podium on Saturday, a pair of local wrestlers were able to reach the finals and bring home silver medals from the Class A State Championships held in Sanford.

Mt. Ararat/Brunswick’s Ben Laurence finished second at 132 pounds and Morse’s Sam Strozier was the runner-up at 182 pounds on Saturday.

“It means a lot. It’s a lot of hard work that I put in this year so I’m happy that it’s paying off,” said Laurence on finishing second in the state.

Laurence opened his tournament with a first-period pin of Sanford’s Cooper Van Gieson in the quarterfinals and then upset Noble’s Joe Pilecki by a 3-2 decision in the semifinals.

“It was outstanding, especially his semifinal match against the kid that won (South regionals) and he really pulled that off. It was a great day,” said Mt. Ararat/Brunswick coach Erick Jensen.

Laurence faced a tough challenge in the finals as he went up against returning state champion Samson Sirois of Skowhegan.

Sirois, who had a technical fall and pin in his first two matches, was in control throughout the finals match and picked up a 5-0 victory to earn his 200th career win and second gold.

“It was tough but I gave it all I had,” said Laurence on his finals match.

Jensen was thrilled to see his sophomore 132-pounder make a run to the state finals — and he believes he could be someone younger wrestlers can look up to.

“Our team is very young right now so he can be a role model for them,” said Jensen, who pointed to Laurence’s work ethic. “All the hard work in the offseason that he put in … I’m just really happy for him.”

The longtime coach also knows that this is just the beginning for Laurence.

“He’s a sophomore and it’s all part of a process. Hopefully he makes it to New Englands this year, and can win a state championship next year and just keep working up,” Jensen said.

Laurence will head to this weekend’s New England Qualifier at Nokomis Regional High School looking to earn a trip to Providence in two weeks.

“I’m expecting to make it to New Englands, that’s my goal I want to place at least third (at All-States) so I can get to New Englands and keep getting better,” Laurence said.

Strozier, who attends Wiscasset High School but competes with Morse, took a similar path to the finals as the senior won by fall in the opening round and then upset Sanford’s Isaac Plante — with another pin — in the 182-pound semis.

Unfortunately for Strozier, Oxford Hills’ Zuka Mabior stood in his way, picking up a 9-3 victory.

“It was good. The first two matches went really well and the third one I just fell short,” said Strozier. “It was intense. I hadn’t been in the state finals before, so it was big.”

Strozier was thrilled to be standing on the podium with his Morse gear on and a silver medal hanging around his neck.

“It’s great … they treat me like their own. Every day I just come in and work hard,” said Strozier on wrestling for Morse.

Strozier is hoping to extend his high school wrestling career next weekend when he competes at the All-State tournament.

“(I expect) a lot of hard competition … I just want to place,” said Strozier, who would love to earn a trip to Providence. “That would be great … going (to New Englands) would be amazing.”

State champs

The Marshwood Hawks won the team title — their sixth in the last seven years — and they were led by individual champs Liam Coomey (126) and David Spinney (138).

Skowhegan was one of four schools that had two champs with Sirois and freshman Jake Craig at 106 pounds both winning titles.

Nokomis had two wrestlers take gold with Quinton Richards making it back-to-back titles at 152 pounds and James Boyd winning the crown at 220.

Oxford Hills also had a pair of winners with Dawson Stevens (160) joining Mabior on top of the podium.

Noble, which finished second in the team race, got a title from freshman Josh Cote at 120.

Sanford’s Sam Anderson won his second straight title as he won the 170-pound bracket. Kennebunk’s Alden Shields won gold at 113, while Camden Hills got a title from Noah Lang (145) and Cony’s Nic Mills was the champ at 195.

Erskine’s Jake Peavy closed things out with a pin to win the title at 285 pounds.