SKOWHEGAN — Throughout the season, the Skowhegan Area High School wrestling team has collected impressive win after impressive win. Saturday’s domination at its own tournament was just another step toward the Indians’ ultimate goal of a state title in February.

“We’ve been on a roll. We’ve been winning all these tournaments. Upsetting Noble, we upset Marshwood. We feel good in the practice room. It’s just positive thinking,” Skowhegan junior Cooper Holland said.

Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans Wells' Cullen Cummings, facing, wraps himself around Skowhegan's Samson Sirois during the 128-pound championship match Saturday at Skowhegan.

Skowhegan sent seven wrestlers to the championship round, with all seven winning. That depth was more than enough to keep the Indians well ahead of runner-up Cony and Wells.

“Our motto is ‘Outwork.’ That’s what we do in the practice room. That’s what we do on the mat. That’s what wins our matches,” Skowhegan’s Luke Bolster said.

Bolster had the closest match of the championship round, edging David Wilson of Nokomis in the 147-pound match, 6-4, in overtime. Bolster executed a two-point takedown in the extra round to earn the win over the higher-seeded Wilson.

“I was very winded coming into that overtime. I dug deep and ended up getting that two,” Bolster said.

Holland defeated Ben Ripley of Oceanside via pin with 55 seconds left in the third round of their 134-pound match. Holland had the upperhand throughout the match and found the strength to finish it.

“It just takes that little bit that you get in the practice room. Coaches tell you, you’re going to regret it at the end of the match if you don’t work as hard,” Holland said. “He tried a desperation move and I flattened out, did what I was taught in practice, and came away with the pin.”

Other Skowhegan winners were: Logan Stevens over Nolan Potter of Wells at 184; Kam Doucette over Michael Wrigley of Wells at 162; Justin Sirois over Messalonskee’s Austin Pelletier at 154; Samson Sirois over Wells’ Cullen Cummings at 128; and Cody Craig over Alex Fogarty of Oceanside at 115.

Cony had a pair of winners in Noah Dumas at 108 pounds and Max Storey at 222. Dumas defeated Westbrook’s Ryan Shackley when the match was stopped with 1:46 left in the third round. Storey pinned Mt. Blue’s Austin Seely with 5 seconds left in the first round.

Gardiner’s Peter Del Gallo took a 9-0 win over Danny Buteau of Oak Hill at 122. At the 140-pound championship, Peyton Cole of Ellsworth defeated Cam Bell of Gardiner, 12-0.

Winslow’s Ryan Fredette won the 172-pound match with a 7-1 victory over Oceanside’s Dallas Ball. Fredette pulled away late, scoring all seven of his points in the third round.

Christopher Wilson of Nokomis beat Cony’s Devon O’Connor, 4-0, in the 197-pound match. Hunter Glidden of Nokomis won at 287 with an early pin of Winslow’s Nat Beckwith.

For Skowhegan, Saturday’s effort was expected, but the Indians know their toughest matches are ahead.

“Noble was a good milestone (win) for us, but it doesn’t matter if we don’t perform at states,” Bolster said.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

<URL destination=””>tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

</URL>Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM

Related Stories