Cody Craig’s clutch victory in the 106-pound finals at the Class A state championship finals — his third straight in the class — also sealed the state championship for the Skowhegan wrestling team.
Craig, a junior, would later add a runner-up finish at the New England championships and finished the season with a remarkable 60-1 record.
For his outstanding performance this winter, Craig is the Morning Sentinel Wrestler of the Year.
Craig ran his career record to 161-5. He remains undefeated against Maine opponents, as each of his losses came at the New England tournament.
Skowhegan co-coach Brooks Thompson says Craig brings a lot to the team.
“He works very hard in the practice room and in the offseason,” Thompson said. “Cody’s success is a direct reflection of his work ethic. He is a mentor and leader to a lot of the younger wrestlers in our program. He also spends hours every week working with our youth wrestlers.”
Craig enjoys working with the younger kids.
“I like seeing them improve,” he said.
While Craig considered his own state championship effort to be “business as usual,” he was excited about the success of the team.
“I’m really glad some of our seniors got individual state titles too (Kameron Doucette and Julian Sirois) and it was huge to finally get what the team was dreaming of,” he said.
Skowhegan captured the state title after finishing in third the previous three seasons.
Craig has traveled far and wide during the offseason to hone his skills. Craig also said his father, Bob, has been instrumental in his development as a wrestler.
“He’s taken me and my brothers (older brother Tyler and younger brother Jake) to Ohio, Colorado, Virginia Beach, and a lot of trips to New York and Pennsylvania,” Cody said. “He’s pushed me to be the best I can be. Since I was 12 I’ve wanted to be a four-time state champion and a New England champion. Neither would be possible without him.”
Craig came tantalizingly close to attaining his goal of winning a New England title this season. He advanced to the championship finals on the strength of a 15-0 technical fall, a first period pin and a 5-1 decision in preliminary matches. He led Jake Ferri, of Massachusetts, 5-3 in the third period in the title match before Ferri scored a late takedown and back points to hand Craig an 8-5 loss.
Craig is philosophical about the match.
“The outcome isn’t what I wanted, but it’s what I got,” he said. “Now I need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Craig already is focused on next year’s New England tournament.
“I have some unfinished business there, and I plan to get the gold,” he said.
Cody has plenty of wrestling trips lined up for this spring and summer.
“I’m planning on the National Duals at Virginia Beach, USA Wrestling Nationals at Fargo, Cadet World team trials and a trip to Bulgaria,” he said.
Craig earned All-American status last summer with a seventh-place finish at the USA Wrestling National championships.
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