ROCKLAND, Maine — Foxcroft Academy utilized its overall depth in winning its first Class B state wrestling championship by scoring 146 points to pull away from Dirigo of Dixfield, which finished second with 123 points Saturday at Oceanside High School.
It figured to be a race between Foxcroft’s Ponies and the Cougars, which is exactly what transpired in early matches as the coaches were checking match results, team points and strategies. That became even more enhanced as the Cougars trailed the Ponies 109-115 entering the championship consolations and finals, which were held simultaneously.
“My message to the kids today was clear,” Foxcroft coach Luis Ayala said. “They needed to stick with what got them here and not to change things. They couldn’t look past the next match.”
Ellsworth (94.5), Winslow (91), Mountain Valley of Rumford and Wells (each 79.5) and host Oceanside (70.5) rounded out the top seven of the 23 scoring teams.
Foxcroft, which has won five Class C state championships between 2004 and 2013, won its first Class B title behind five individual state champs.
Brothers Billy and Brandon Brock each collected a state title in the 182- and 195-pound divisions, respectively, while Zac Caron (145) Michael Pendriss (220) and Conner Holmes (285) also won titles.
Also picking up valuable points for the Ponies were R.J. Nelson (132) with a second-place finish and Brandon Weston (106) with a third place finish.
Other wrestlers winning state titles included Oceanside’s Alex Fogarty (106) and Ben Ripley (132); Dirigo’s Griffyn Smith (113) and Bryce Whittemore (152); Oak Hill’s Danny Buteau (120); Mountain Valley’s Caleb Austin (126); Ellsworth’s Peyton Cole (138) and Trent Goodman (160); and Winslow’s Ryan Fredette (170).