The Skowhegan wrestling team has won every tournament it’s competed in this season and is favored to win the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championships again this season as well.
Cony High School will host the KVAC championships Saturday, with 17 teams set to compete.
The Indians have strength up and down the lineup and will have four undefeated wrestlers — Cody Craig (113 pounds), Julian Sirois (152), Kameron Doucette (160), and Logan Stevens (182) — come to the meet Saturday.
Sirois has been virtually untouchable this season, 33 of his victories coming via pin. Sirois recently wrestled a match at 145 pounds, enough for him to qualify for the regional tournament in that weight class. However, he will opt for competing at the higher weight class Saturday.
“We will be keeping Julian up to 152 allowing us to keep another younger wrestler in the lineup,” said coach Brooks Thompson. “You should see him at 145 for regionals and states”
Samson Sirois (126) and Cooper Holland (132) are also likely top seeds for the Indians.
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While the exact order of seeds in each weight class won’t be determined until a KVAC coaches meeting Thursday evening, many area wrestlers will be included in the top four.
Cony senior Max Storey is undefeated (30-0) at 220 and will likely compete as the top seed Saturday. Fellow senior Devon O’Connor (195) is 22-4, with three of those losses coming at the hands of Nokomis’ Christopher Wilson. Cony freshman Noah Dumas (106) holds a 30-3 record.
Nokomis has done well in tournaments this season and is poised for a strong showing Saturday. Wilson (195) is undefeated in 32 matches. Fellow senior Hunter Glidden is 32-2 at 285 pounds while freshman Quinton Richards is 22-2 at 138 pounds.
Winslow also has some strong individuals. Nat Beckwith is 6-0 in the 220-pound class. Ryan Fredette is 25-2 at 170 and Devon Vigue is 20-1 at 120 pounds. However, he will compete at 113 pounds Saturday. Ben Abbott (160) is 30-6, while Patrick Hopkins (182) is 19-6.
Gardiner’s Peter Del Gallo is 40-0 and will be the top seed at 120 pounds. Teammate Alexander Thang (285) could garner a top-four seed.
Erskine will be led by seniors Isaac Taylor (27-2) and Justin Studholme (29-3).
Messalonskee’s Austin Pelletier is 31-4 overall and 7-1 at 152 pounds. Pelletier competes as an independent since Messalonskee does not field a wrestling team. Pelletier practices with Skowhegan and recently finished in second place to Sirois at the Skowhegan Invitational.
Wrestling is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m.
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Oak Hill, Madison and Monmouth will compete at the Mid-States Tournament at Lisbon High School on Saturday.
Madison has several potential medalists, according to Bulldog coach Scot Padelford.
“Freshmen Dawson Senter (113) and Josh Savage (120) have been scoring points for us all season and are in hope of medaling,” he said. “If Matt Brown (285) wrestles like he can, I expect him to be in the finals.”
Senter has won 30 matches this season, while Savage has 28 wins and Brown has 27.
Monmouth’s Calvin Thompson is 23-7 overall while Abram Sirois is 7-1 at 152 pounds.
Oak Hill’s Danny Buteau (120) holds a season record of 31-3, with one loss coming while competing at 132 pounds and the other two against Gardiner’s Del Gallo. Buteau will get the top seed, according to Oak Hill coach Ric Swett. Swett expects good things from Brendon Tervo at 182. Tervo, a senior, is currently 23-6. Zoe Buteau and Zach Cloutier could also fare well, Swett said. One of Oak Hill’s top performers, Sam Woodard (170), will sit out this weekend due to concussion protocols.
Swett predicts his team will finish in the middle of the pack.
“My team has struggled with injuries and illness,” he said. “Dirigo is my pick to win. They are strong throughout the lineup despite giving up forfeits at 106 and 285. Mountain Valley will be close with Wells at third.”
Host Lisbon, York/Traip and Boothbay round out the rest of the field. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
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