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FRYEBURG — The Noble High School wrestling team took the first step toward a successful postseason on Saturday afternoon, but the mood was more somber than celebratory.

The Knights beat Massabesic 61-17 to win the Class A duals wrestling championship at Fryeburg Academy. It was the team’s first competition since the death of Aiden Keefe, a senior at Noble who was killed in an automobile/train accident on Thursday.

“I’m just really proud of these guys,” said an emotional Kevin Gray, Noble’s coach. “Dealing with that and having the community behind us. That was just a really tough thing over the past couple of days. I’m super impressed (with the team).”

In memory of Keefe, Noble wrestlers wore white t-shirts with a black No. 3, Keefe’s number on the school’s football team. Multiple members of the wrestling team were Keefe’s football teammates.

“We had a lot of motivation (winning this) for him,” said senior Logan Duquette, one of those football players and wrestlers.

“Everybody came together, man, the whole community came together,” added senior Brady Ouellette. “This (title) is more than just for our team, and everyone knew that coming in, especially this week. A lot of our guys came through.”

Dirigo beat Dexter 44-33 to capture the Class B crown. The Cougars, who won the Mountain Valley Conference team championship last week, have continued a season of success despite dealing with a slew of injuries, including top wrestler Hudson Lufkin, who has missed the season because of a torn ACL.

“It’s good, we’re finally getting healthy,” said Dirigo coach Dana Whittemore. “We got some of our key guys back, but our lightweights, up to 138 (pounds), just keep fighting and are getting better. Some are getting one or two wins at tournaments for us, and that’s huge.”

“It’s nice to see everyone pull through,” Dirigo senior Tanner Bradeen said. “We’ve been practicing hard all week. We’ve been drilling and drilling. It finally seemed to pay off a bit.”

The tournament featured the top four teams from the north against the four from the south in each class. Noble started the day with a 65-18 victory over rival Marshwood before topping Edward Little 62-16 in the semifinals.

“Our intensity (was key),” Gray said. “We were able to solidify some of our matches early, and that really got us going, being able to push the pace … It’s huge (for momentum and confidence). Especially for us, it’s a big team aspect.” The entire team’s a part of this.”

“Winning states as a team definitely gives that team morale (booster),” added Duquette. “Heading into regionals, it gives everyone a good mindset.”

Dirigo started with a 52-28 win over Mount View before beating Mattanawcook Academy 46-33 in the semifinals.

“I’ve told (the team) how this was going to happen today,” Whittemore said. “Whether they believe it or not when I’m saying it, I don’t know. I think they believe it now. I told them at the beginning of the season that we could win this thing, even without (Lufkin). It’s falling into place. They’re buying it. They have to be buying it, we’ve (won) two weeks in a row.”

Adden Bradeen: “I think we’re going to be pretty well secure (at regionals and states). This definitely spikes the confidence level way up … If we keep doing what we’re doing, I think we’re going to be fine.”