Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln hosted 29 schools fighting to get the Class B Wrestling State Championship title. Dexter Regional High School brought seven of their own, Caleb Weeks, 132; Justin Wing, 138; Nathan Schobel, 145; Gage Stone, 152; Isaiah Hesseltine, 160; Augustus Irwin, 170 and Eric Bennet, 220.
Coach Lockhart, Head Coach Levensalor, Gus Irwin, Aliviah Anderson, Isaiah Hesseltine, Matt Sickles, Anthony Wood, Nathan Schobel, Eric Bennett, Autumn Irwin, Coach Weigle, Molly Bennett (front 4) Caleb Weeks, Justin Wing, Gage Stone and Justin Curtis. Photo courtesy of Christie Hesseltine
The Tigers of Dexter Regional High wrestled hard, brought home two State Champs, an Outstanding Wrestler and placed 2nd as a team behind Wells High School, who brought eleven individual wrestlers to the tournament. Wells High School scored 161.50 points, Dexter Regional High School followed with 99.00. Medomak Valley finished with 89.50 points and Mattanawcook Academy finished the top four with 81.00 points.
Caleb Weeks brought home his second Maine State Wrestling championship by pinning Emma Fonger, Mountain Valley in the first round, pinning Zoe Buteau in the second and Travis Mushero of Mattanwcook Academy in the finals.
Justin Wing lost in the first round in overtime to Evrit Roy of Mountain Valley. Wing was able to defeat Foxcroft Academy’s Josh Tatlock, pin MCI’s Cole Steeves and dominate Mount View’s Zachary Ward. Wing brought home third place overall.
Gage Stone and Head Coach Andrew Levensalor right after the 152 winning match. Photo courtesy of Christie Hesseltine
Nathan Schobel lost in a very close first round to Lisbon/Oak Hill’s Josiah Kenney. Schobel defeated Caribou’s Angel Riopelle in the second round and pinned Well’s Devin Chace. Schobel brought home fourth after losing again in another tight match against Jacob Ireland from Foxcroft Academy.
Gage Stone brought home two achievements on Saturday by not only winning Maine State Wrestling Championship, but Outstanding Wrestler. Stone pinned Madison’s Bryce Lombard in 56 seconds in the first round. Stone defeated Oceanside’s Alex Fogarty and Mountain Valley’s Anthony Mazza.
Isaiah Hesseltine defeated Christian St. Hilaire from Lisbon/Oak Hill in round one. Hesseltine got pinned by Medomak’s Elias Miller in the second round. Hesseltine went on to defeat Belfast’s Elijah Charbonnier and Well’s Evan Cash for a third place win. Miller defeated Foxcroft Academy’s Dustin Simmons to place Simmons in second and win first.
Augustus Irwin defeated Amos Hinkley from Medomak in the first round. Irwin was pinned by Well’s Nathan Curtis in the second round. Irwin came back to win over Lucas Steinberger from Lincoln Academy in the third round. In the final round, Irwin lost by decision to PCHS Zac Wilson. Irwin placed fourth in the tournament.
Caleb Weeks earned his second wrestling state championship. Photo courtesy of Christie Hesseltine
Eric Bennett pinned Madison’s Aiden O’Donnell in the first round. Bennett lost to Dirigo’s Nolan Degroot in the second round. Bennett won by injury default again Well’s Devin Bickford in the third round. Bennett brought home fourth after losing to Mattanawcook Academy’s Dakota Page.
All seven Tiger wrestlers will be traveling to Oak Hill High School on February 23, 2019 to compete in All States.
Story written by Christie Hesseltine
Gage Stone received the outstanding wrestler award. Photo courtesy of Christie Hesseltine
