FA second at 17-school MV wrestling meet

By Ernie Clark
Staff Writer

RUMFORD — The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team served noticed on the rest of Class B on Saturday, sending six competitors to the championship finals en route to a strong second-place finish at the Mountain Valley High School-Franklin Savings Bank tournament.

Coach Luis Ayala’s Ponies crowned three individual champions as well as three runners-up and one third-place effort in finishing with 137.5 points, just 3½ points behind tournament winner and Class A power Noble High School of South Berwick.

Host Mountain Valley finished third with 111 points, with Dirigo of Dixfield (108) and defending Class B state champion Ellsworth (92) rounding out the top five finishers among the 17 participating schools from around the state — including six Class A programs.

“I am very happy how we wrestled today,” said Ayala after the meet. “We proved today that we are one of the best teams in the states.”

Foxcroft got individual championships from Breyer Manchester at 106 pounds, Zach Caron at 145 and Brandon Brock at 185.

Manchester pinned Vinny DeRoche of Mountain Valley at 23 seconds of his final while Carroll decisioned DeRoche’s older brother, Eddie DeRoche, 8-4. Brock was awarded a forfeit victory over Seth Padelford in his final.

The Ponies’ Antonio Ayala (126 pounds), Michael Pendriss (220) and Conner Holmes (285) each secured a second-place finish, while teammate R.J. Nelson placed third at 132 pounds after pinning Dirigo’s Colin Woodhead at 3:53 of their consolation final.

“This should motivate us to continue to work hard,” said coach Ayala. “This is very early in the season right now, but I like were we are heading.”

Caleb Austin of Mountain Valley, who won the 132-pound championship, was named the meet’s outstanding wrestler.