Sports

Several Maine wrestlers shine and Wells places second among 24 teams at what is generally considered Maine's toughest wrestling tournament.

After years of decline in the sport, several teams are reporting an increase in participation this season as pandemic restrictions have been lifted.

A 4-team KVAC meet between Cony, Morse, Belfast and Nokomis featured a strong showing of wrestlers.

Massabesic finishes second by three points to Rhode Island power Bishop Hendricken, while Noble, Wells, Camden Hills and Sanford finish in the top six.

Coming off a dual meet state title last season, Sanford is aiming for its first Class A championship since 1995.

Several regional and state champions return this season for a shot at more titles.

Ayden Cofone's father and uncle had impressive careers as high school wrestlers. He could be better than either of them.

Eagles, the defending Class A state champ, return enough talent to contend again this winter.

Mt. Ararat/Brunswick Coach Erick Jensen, a 2021 selection, will also officially enter the hall at Saturday's ceremony.

A sophomore, Ripley became the first girl to win a KVAC title and then made it to the championship round at the Class B state meet.

Two freshmen and a sophomore are among the 14 All-State wrestlers.

These are our choices for the state's top high school athletes in basketball, hockey, indoor track, swimming, skiing and wrestling.

The senior pinned every Maine opponent in the first round and placed second at the New England championships at 170 pounds.

Mia-Claire Kezal and three other Maine athletes break state records at the New England high school indoor track championship.

The two-day tournament in Providence returns after a one-year hiatus.

Savannah Eastler and Hayleigh Martz of Camden Hills and Delani Rector of Morse join Maddie Ripley as winners at the girls' individual state championships.

Sanford defeats Kennebunk in the Class A final, and Mattanawcook tops Morse in Class B.

Wrestling against boys, the Oceanside sophomore advanced to the finals before losing to Mattanawcook Academy's Deegan Tidswell.

The Eagles edge a deep field in their home gym, finishing seven points ahead of runner-up Sanford.

The South regional champion will face several tough teams Saturday at the Class A championships, while Mattanawcook Academy is favored in Class B.

Wrestling mostly against boys, the sophomore is 32-1 this season and won the Class B South 113-pound title.

It's the first regional title since 1995 for the Rams, who edge Noble in a hotly contested competition.

Wrestlers and coaches endured COVID, canceled meets and small rosters to return to championship tournaments.

For Cheverus, the event was about honoring one of the school's former wrestlers. For other teams, it was a day to take advantage and learn from being in a tournament atmosphere.

The pandemic has impacted the sport, which is in a bounce-back year after not being offered in 2020-21.

Leavitt, a Class A heavyweight champion who was killed in a car accident in 2020, helped to build what is now a growing program.

Coaches and athletes are thankful to be able to compete this season after last year's was canceled – even if they must wear masks.

After last season was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, these wrestlers will get a chance to display their talents this winter.

Defending champions Noble (Class A) and Wells (Class B) should be in the mix heading into the state meets this winter.

The Maine Principals' Association informed schools last week that wrestlers must be vaccinated. Now the organization is reconsidering its stance, with the season less than two weeks away.

Tackle football and wrestling had been deemed "high risk" by community guidelines, and couldn't have competitions last season.

The Maine Principals' Association will allow wrestlers to continue conditioning workouts with coaches for the next two weeks, but there will be no competitions.

Maine Principals' Association postpones meeting with community sports guidelines unchanged and wrestling still considered 'high risk.'

The vast majority of states are offering interscholastic wrestling this winter, but Maine wrestlers cannot even scrimmage against teammates during practices because of pandemic safety precautions.

The MPA Wrestling Committee decides to wait until its Feb. 22 meeting to make a final decision on whether a competitive season can be held during the pandemic.

With meets pushed to late February, teams still remain hopeful that some form of competition will be offered.

Individual drills involving players and coaches can start as planned on Monday in "green" counties, but team practices and scrimmages have been moved from Dec. 14 to Jan. 4.

The Maine Principals' Association releases its COVID-19 safety guidelines on each high school winter sport.

The Maine Principals' Association announced the move Thursday in hopes that pandemic conditions will improve enough to allow for competition.

It's been a successful fall season outside for many schools, but winter sports played inside present challenges that require creative problem-solving during the pandemic.

Practices were scheduled to start on Nov. 16, but they have been delayed while the Maine Principals' Association meets with state agencies about COVID-19 safety protocols.

Kelly, a senior, earned National Player of the Year honors in girls' soccer after leading the Windjammers to a fourth consecutive Class A state title.

Worster dominated the 220-pound division in Maine and then placed second at the New England championships.

A junior who trains with Portland/South Portland, she became the first two-time winner at the girls' state wrestling championships.

Several of the state's best wrestlers were unbeaten against in-state opponents.

Competing in a tough 152-pound division, Colby Isabelle already has won three titles in Maine and believes he can make an impact at the New England Championships.

The first two-time champion at the Maine girls' wrestling championships, MacDonnell more than held her own in co-ed matches this winter.

Exel had to fight through a tough freshman season as a novice wrestler. Now, as a junior, he's a state champion.

The two teams that won the traditional state meets six days earlier add championships in the new dual-meet format.

Jayda Stevens is named the Most Outstanding Wrestler, and Falmouth's Anunthaya MacDonnell wins a title for the second year in a row.