Skowhegan will enter today’s Eastern Class A wrestling tournament, contested in the Indian’s home gymnasium, as the odds-on favorite to win the team title.

Tyler Craig (113 pounds), Julian Sirois (120), Kameron Doucette (132), Kaleb Brown (138), Carter Stevens (152), Levi Hayden (182) and Andrew Pineo (195) each have been awarded No. 1 seeds based on their regular-season performances. Five other Indian wrestlers enter the day seeded in the top three.

While Skowhegan wrestlers have the lion’s share of top seeds, several other area wrestlers enter the day in position to compete for individual regional titles. Mt. Blue’s Khalil Newbill is the top seed at 126 pounds. Teammates Danny Read (120), Kevin Moore (132) and Travis Stuard (220) are second seeds in their weight classes.

Jacob Nichols (285) is a top seed while Rusty Wilson (182) is a second seed for Nokomis. Cony’s Chris Paradis is a second seed at 152 pounds.

Class B West regional seeds won’t be determined until this morning, but two Gardiner wrestlers are certain No. 1 seeds. Peter (106) and Daniel (138) Del Gallo are unbeaten this year. Teammate Mitchell Chesley (195) will also be a high seed. Oak Hill’s Cameron Labreque is his team’s best chance for a top-four seed. Gardiner and Oak Hill will compete at Wells High School.

Maine Central Institute hosts the Eastern B regional. These seeds also won’t be determined until just before the tournament. MCI’s Dylan Dahlbergh (120), Tanner Littlefield (126) and Trevor Kitchin (152) could garner high seeds.

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Area schools will be well-represented at the Western C tournament in Bucksport. Winslow, Madison, Monmouth and Mt View each bring quality wrestlers to the event. Madison coach Scot Padelford sees Dirigo as the clear favorite to win the team title.

“Dirigo will walk away with the regional title easily,” said Padelford. “They are solid in every weight class and have a lot of depth. The battle will be for second place between Winslow and Madison.”

Padelford believes his team is peaking at the right time. Ryan Malcolm has been tough to beat at 285 this season and recently won the Mid-State League. Cody Soucier (152) also rejoins the lineup after missing some time due to injury. Padelford sees Soucier as the top seed in his weight class.

Both Winslow and Mt. View have top flight heavyweights. Aaron Lint was a state champ last season for Winslow while Devan Fuller has over 20 wins for Mt. View.

Winslow coach Kevin Fredette sees Lint as the second seed at 285. He also sees Dillon Pelletier as the top seed at 120 pounds and Anthony Salisbury as the second seed at 160.

Mt. View’s other top hopes for a high seed are James Blanchette (120) and Job Mesaric (220).

Monmouth has two standouts in James Gambino (138) and Stewart Buzzell (145). Both won their weight classes at the Mid-State League tournament and it is expected they will be seeded near the top today.

Wrestling at all regional sites is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.


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