FARMINGTON-When it was suggested to Allison Pelitier that a different sport would be better she scoffed at the idea and finally the decision paid off as the student-athlete from Poland won an individual championship at 122-pounds.

Over 50 girls representing 30 schools competed at Mount Blue H.S. in the 1st annual Maine high school girls wrestling invitational Wednesday.                                                                                                               

The event was sanctioned by the Maine Principal’ Association and it was obvious from the onset that each competitor meant business.                                                                      

“I’m estatic,”Arvid Cullenberg said.  “When I organized this I felt 25 would be a good number, but it grew to over 50 competitors from Caribou to York. The level of competition is very good.”       

Mount Ararat rallied to win the team crown with 47 points led by champions Kelly Golex and Kat McDonald at 110 and 125 respectively. York finished second 45.5 followed by Oxford Hills 38.5, Caribou 36 and Hyde 31.5.                                                                     

Pelitier, who has asthma, went directly on the offensive and cruised to a 10-1 major decision against Danielle McDonald of Caribou in the finals. The senior Knight executed a fireman’s carry in to a near fall in the second period to take control.                                                                              

 “This is the sport I like,”Pelitier said. “Some people told me that I should try field hockey, but that was 10 years ago. Winning today was a nice way to end my career.”    
                                                                                        
 Caitlynn Sampson 145 of Oxford Hills earned a title by pinning Danielle Landry of Caribou with a power-half nelson in the first period. Unfortunately, Viking teammate Megan Wormwood lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Cheyenne Augustine of Medomak Valley. Wormwood had attempted a head and arm, but Augustine kept her hips elevated and rolled through it.                                                                                                                                      

“I would like to win today, but second isn’t bad,”Wormwood said, who had decisioned Melanie McInnis of Monmouth 4-2 in a quarterfinal match. “It just felt good to win (two) matches because it has been awhile. I wrestled (varsity) this season and hadn’t faced any other girls.”                                                                    

Girls have been allowed to join wrestling teams for the past several years in the Pine Tree state, however, the teams have been for males. This tournament was established for females to enter and compete on a level playing field.  Other champions included Reaha Goyetche 97 of York, with two pins in less than one minute; Kayleigh Longley 105 of Noble and Deering sophomore Tierra Williams 132.                                   

“I really didn’t know what to expect today,”Williams said. “I wasn’t taking any thing for granted, so I my strategy was to go out there and put (three opponents) on their backs.”                                                      

Stephaine Hayslyp of Lisbon stuck Ariel Hunter of Mount Blue for third place at 105

“I hope this turns in to some thing,”Noble coach Kip DeVoll said. “The MPA needs to take notice because the girls work just as hard as the boys all year, but then have nothing to show for it. By holding this they are able to wrestle with their peers and be competitive.”        

State Report

Every body rejoiced when the three state meets A, B, C were finally scheduled to be held at the same location, simultaneously. It was an excellent idea because it would provide an opportunity to showcase the sport because all the fans would be able to attend the three respective tournaments at the same venue. The Augusta Civic Center has proven to be nearly perfect because of spacious floor space- 8 mats-, ample seating with good viewing and the ACC is centrally located in the middle of the state. Unfortunately, the Civic Center is only available every other year because the Maine Principal Association also sanctions the state cheering tournament the same day. Therefore, it was decided wrestling and cheering would have to use the Augusta Civic Center and the Bangor Auditorium on alternating years. It was obvious from the initial decision that there would be problems because the “Mecca” is designed for basketball. The floor space is smaller- 6 mats- so the meet had to be held Friday night and Saturday for 8-man brackets. The seating is below average and the facility is old and dirty. Economically, it was not good.

The coaches association, along with fans, lobbied the MPA to eliminate the Bangor locale and returned the state meets back to individual high schools, last year. The opportunity to see the three classes (simultaneously) hurt and the combined      crowds at the three venues totaled less than 2000. The Augusta Civic Center will host the three state meets (February ‘09) and every-other year. A possible solution would be to have the Androscroggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, host.

The Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall Of Fame continues to induct deserving former coaches and wrestlers. Steve DeFillip, Patrick Kelly and Jim Tuttle highlighted the ’08 class.

DeFillip won two Class A state championships ’73 ’74 at Rumford and was also a 2x New England finalist. As a matter of fact, Dave Magoon and DeFillip each repeated as 2x state champions in their only two years of competition. Maine only had one classification (1973-79) so, a “State Champion” was the best in Maine- and that record is expected to stand the test of time.

The 1973 team set a then-national record with six individual state champions, including  Rick Labrecque (105), Gary Daigle (119), Jimmy Richards (126) and Linwood Arsenault at 155. The Panthers team is considered among the best in the history of Maine wrestling.

Kelly won a N.E. Championship at the University of Maine ’86 and finished his collegiate career with a 116-20 record.

Tuttle of Sanford won three state championships, unbeaten in Maine until losing as a senior to Rusty Smith of Dexter in the state finals. Tuttle was a 2x N.E. finalist.  

2007 Wrestling All State

First Team

103      Carlin Dubay             Caribou                      Junior

112            Jeremiah Barkac          Dexter                              Senior

119      Chris Smith               Deering                      Junior

125      Sam Webber                        Mount Blue                    Junior

130      James Spencer                       Belfast                         Junior

135      Peter Gilman             Massabesic                Sophomore

140      Jon Smith               Dirigo                            Junior 

 145     Jarod Rideout                       Foxcroft                                 Junior

152      Jacob Berry               Camden Hills                         Junior

160      Brad Smith               Oxford Hills                            Senior

   171   Josh Eon                  Massabesic                           Junior 

189      Jessie Rayworth            Noble                                      Senior                    S              

215      Logan Kelley             Belfast                                     Senior

285      Kyle Dow                Mountain Valley                    Senior

Second Team

103      Dalton Groeger            Bonny Eagle                Sophomore

112      Jake Longley                       Noble                          Junior

119      Ivan Bragg               Camden Hills             Junior

125      Tyler Clark               Lisbon             Senior

130      Jake Badger             Noble                          Senior

135      Jack Simpkins                     Camden Hills             Sophomore

140      Joe Eon                  Massabesic                Sophomore

145      Ben Matthews                   Mountain Valley            Senior

152      John Hussey                        Marshwood                     Junior

160      Mike Rollerson            Belfast                         Junior

189      Travis Spencer            Belfast                         Sophomore

215      Mark Stambach            Lisbon                         Senior

275

 Outstanding Wrestler: Jerimiah Barkac, Dexter

Coach of Year: Doug Gilbert, Dirigo