Pair of FA wrestlers reach career victory milestones

    NEWPORT — On Saturday, Jan. 3 the Foxcroft Academy wrestling team traveled to Newport to wrestle at the Nokomis Warrior Clash tournament. There were 20 teams competing at this tournament, including Eastern Maine Class A powerhouse Skowhegan, Oxford Hills and host Nokomis, Class C state champions and runner-up Dirigo and Dexter, Western Class B teams Wells and Mt. View. 

Photo courtesy of Kristy Law

    A VERY SPECIAL MILESTONE — On Saturday at the Warrior Clash in Newport Foxcroft Academy’s Brooks Law earned the 168th victory of his Pony wrestling career, surpassing the mark set by his older brother Forrest. The elder Law was on leave from the U.S. Army Airborne Rangers and he was the first to congratulate Brooks.

    “This tournament keeps growing and getting better teams every year. We like coming here and wrestling different teams out of our conference,” said head coach Luis Ayala.
    Foxcroft wrestled well in the day and finished in the top four with a score of 84 points. “The wrestling overall was really good. There were some good matches,” Ayala said. “We were missing some starters due to illnesses and injuries. We need these guys at the end of the year, so is important that they get healthy.”
    Placing for the Ponies were in second place at 120 pounds Eli Olson, at 152 Brooks Law and at 182 Brandon Brock. Placing third at 106 pounds was Brandon Weston, at 120 Antonio Ayala and at 170 Billy Brock. 
    Two milestones were reached at this tournament for Foxcroft Academy. Junior Antonio Ayala won his 100th career match by defeating Dexter’s Tyler Beem, 6-1. Ayala defeated him in the consolation finals to finish in third place. 
    What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is that he had an emergency surgery weeks before the season started. Ayala’s appendix ruptured and had to have surgery.  “I am so impressed what he has accomplished” said coach Ayala about his son. “ I did not know if he would be able to get to this point this year. He as worked hard to get to here. It makes even more special that I can enjoy this not only as a coach but as a proud parent. He is still not where he wants to be physically with his condition but he is working hard at practice to get there”.  

Contributed photo

    100 WINS ON THE MAT — Foxcroft Academy junior Antonio Ayala recorded the 100th victory of his high school wrestling career on Jan. 3 at Newport. Ayala is pictured with his parents Luis — who is also his head coach — and Angela.

    The second milestone reached was when Brooks Law won his quarterfinal match to break the school win record of 167. Law pinned Oxford Hills Jason Paridis to get his 168th career win. What makes this event even more meaningful was the record that he broke was his older brother Forrest’s record. 
    When Brooks Law won this match the first person to congratulate him was his brother. Forrest Law is a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger and was on leave visiting his family. 
    “This was a very special event,” Ayala said. “They have a very special bond as brothers. They have both pushed each other through the years to become great wrestlers. They are just great kids”.
    “Having the opportunity to hold the school win record in wrestling is a huge honor,” said Brooks Law. “But being able to achieve this by besting my brother’s win record is indescribable. I love my brother and we are closer than most siblings, so for me to surpass his win record is one of my greatest accomplishments yet.”
    “Having Brooks accomplish FA’s career record win was a very special moment, especially having his brother being there,” added coach Ayala. “It just made it even better. They have a very close relationship. Forrest has always been there for Brooks —always encouraging him and giving him advice on and off the mat.”

Contributed photo

    AND THE WINNER IS … — Getting the win, on the way to a third-place finish at 170 pounds, is Foxcroft’s Billy Brock.