Foxcroft wrestling finishes fourth at Franklin Savings Bank Invitational
RUMFORD — The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team traveled on Dec. 16 to compete at the Franklin Savings Bank Invitational at Mountain Valley High School. There were 18 teams attending the tournament, mostly from central and western Maine, including traditional powerhouse schools from the KVAC and Mid-State League.
“It’s a great tournament to see how we stack up against other teams in the state,” Foxcroft Academy head coach Luis Ayala said.
The Ponies came into the tournament after having a tough week of practice with wrestlers dealing with illnesses and injuries. We are not at our best right now a lot of our guys are recovering from being sick this week, practices have been different with a lot of our kids missing due to this,” Ayala said, “but I am really proud of this team how they overcame all of this distractions and still came to wrestle tough.”
Foxcroft came in fourth place with a score of 70.5 points behind Class A Skowhegan (123.5 points) and Oxford Hills (108 points). In third place was defending Class B state champion Wells at 94 points.
“It says a lot about our kids how they just gave their all, through these adversities they still found a way to succeed,” Ayala said.
Foxcroft’s Rico Ayala finished as a tournament champion in the 113-pound division. RJ Nelson was the 138-pound runner-up. Ponies coming in third in their classes were Brandon Weston at 120 pounds and Dustin Simmons at 160 pounds.
Photo courtesy of Angela Ayala
WRESTLING IN WESTERN MAINE — The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team finished in fourth place at the Franklin Savings Bank Invitational at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford over the weekend. With 70.5 points the Ponies trailed only Class A Skowhegan and Oxford Hills and defending Class B champion Wells.
Photo courtesy of Angela Ayala
TOURNAMENT CHAMPION — Rico Ayla of Foxcroft Academy, pictured with his father and head coach Luis, earned first-place honors at 113 pounds during the Franklin Savings Bank Invitational on Dec. 16 at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford.