Foxcroft wrestlers win Penobscot Valley Holiday Tournament

HOWLAND — The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team continued its strong early season performance Saturday, besting a field of 18 schools to win the annual Penobscot Valley Holiday Tournament.

The Ponies used their strength in the upper weight classes to amass 194.5 points, well ahead of defending Class B state champion Ellsworth, which finished second with 129 points.

Dexter was a close third with 120 points, with host Penobscot Valley of Howland (79) and Bucksport (70) rounding out the top five.

Piscataquis of Guilford placed 13th in the team standings with 10 points.

Coach Luis Ayala’s Foxcroft squad advanced eight wrestlers to the championship finals, with five winning their weight divisions.

The Ponies’ Zach Caron pinned Ellsworth’s Josh Wright in 1 minute, 30 seconds, to win the 145-pound crown, then Foxcroft swept the four heaviest weight classes.

Billy Brock pinned Dexter’s Danny Wallace in 2:24 of the 182-pound final; older brother Brandon Brock stopped John Bapst of Bangor’s Jared Smith at 1:42 of their 195-pound title match; Michael Pendriss was crowned the 220-pound winner after scoring a 4-0 decision over Dexter’s David Kirshkain in their final; and Connor Holmes pinned Penobscot Valley’s Ben Woodward at 42 seconds of the 285-pound championship match.

Brandon Weston (113 pounds), Antonio Ayala (126) and R.J. Nelson (132) earned second-place finishes for Foxcroft, while teammate Breyer Manchester was fourth at 106.

Dexter’s Tyler Beam won the 138-pound weight class by scoring a 6-4 decision over Ellsworth’s Noah Robidoux in their final. Joining Wallace and Kirshkain as runners-up for the Tigers were Bryce Sweet at 160 pounds and Jacob Hesseltine at 170 while Caleb Weeks (113) and Tanner Hall (285) each placed third and Isaiah Hesseltine was fourth at 145.

PCHS was led by fourth-place finishes from Ethan Moulton at 113 pounds and Mitchel Nuite at 182.