NEWPORT — For some wrestlers, like Cony High School’s Nic Mills, standing atop the podium was brand-new. For others, like Skowhegan’s Cody Craig, victory was another step towards a bigger goal.
“Another step, another step in the staircase to another state championship and perfect career,” Craig said.
At Nokomis Regional High School on Saturday, Craig won the Class A North championship at 106 pounds. It was the fourth straight regional title for Craig, who is a state championship away from an undefeated high school wrestling career.
Mt. Ararat/Brunswick took the team title with 152.5 points, well ahead of second place Skowhegan (129.5). Nokomis placed third with 120 points. The Class A state championship meet is set for Saturday, Feb. 18 at Camden Hills High School in Rockport.
Craig won his finals match over Cony’s Noah Dumas with a technical fall, 15-3, in the second period. Craig took control of the match early, leading 12-1 after one period.
“For me, it’s about gettting that first takedown,” Craig said. “I like to take it to them right off the bat.”
Mills’ win at 182 pounds was his first regional title. He beat Messalonskee’s Austin Pelletier, 8-4. It was Pelletier’s first match at the weight. The No. 4 seed, Pelletier knocked off top-seed Alex Vokey of Camden Hills to advance to face Mills in the final. Mills said it was his first match against Pelletier since they practiced against each other in eighth grade. Mills led 8-1 on points midway through the second period before Pelletier pulled within four. Mills won with a scoreless third period. Staying in control was the key to the match, Mills said.
“I had to make sure I used my weight,” Mills said. “It feels pretty good. Hopefully the same thing happens at states.”
At 145 pounds, Skowhegan’s Cooper Holland won a tight match over Kaden Harrison-Billiat of Camden Hills, 8-7. The match was delayed twice in the second period and immediately after the second when Harrison-Billiat was treated to stop a stubborn bloody nose. Holland said he used the delays to rest an refocus, and they didn’t bother him.
“I’ve been there before. I’ve been the guy with the gushing nose,” Holland said.
Skowhegan also won titles at 120 pounds, where Ricky Oberg defeated Josh Langworthy of Mt. Ararat/Brunswick 16-0 via forfeit; and Samson Sirois, who defeated Morse’s Donovan Rector, 16-0, at 132 pounds.
Nokomis earned three first place finishes. In the 113 pound final, Josh Brown beat Caden Kowalsky of Mt. Ararat/Brunswick with a pin at 2:34. Quentin Richards pinned Wiscasset’s Sam Strozier in 34 seconds to win at 152 pounds for the Warriors. At 195 pounds, James Boyd pinned Westbrook/Gorham’s Brandon Lebourdais at 1:52 for the title.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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