Foxcroft wrestling finishes seventh at Noble Invitational
NORTH BERWICK — The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team joined some of the top teams from across Maine and schools from throughout New England at the Noble Invitational on Dec. 29-30.
The Ponies tallied 111 points to place seventh out a field of nearly 40 teams across two dozen schools at the competition, the second highest finish for Class B schools and highest among those from Class B North.
“We go to this tournament for the competition,” head coach Luis Ayala said, “This gets our team ready for the end of the season.”
The tournament starts with four mats and then three mats on the second day. “This type of environment can be overwhelming, but that is the reason we come here,” Ayala said, “Everything else we do in the season will not compare to this.”
A pair of Foxcroft wrestlers reached the finals. In the last match at 160 pounds, Elijah Ames fell by a 6-2 decision to David Wilson Class A Nokomis Regional High School of Newport. The Ponies’ Elijah Ames was defeated by a 15-5 major decision vs. Sam Anderson of Class A Sanford High School in the 170-pound championship final.
In the 132-pound class, R.J. Nelson earned third-place honors. Nelson defeated Ben Laurence 7-4 of the Class A Mount Ararat High School of Topsham/Brunswick High School cooperative in the 132-pound consolation final.
Brandon Weston came in fifth at 120 pounds. Weston pinned Garrett Francoeur of Class A Massabesic High School of Waterboro at the 1:54-mark of their fifth- and sixth-place final match.
Nokomis came in first at 170.5 points with Class A Skowhegan Area High School second at 162.5 points and followed by Class A Cony High School with a score of 135 points. Class B Wells High School came in fourth at 134 points, the Class A host school was fifth at 130.5 points and LaSalle Academy of Providence, R.I. was sixth at 113 points — two ahead of Foxcroft.
Contributed photo
TOP PERFORMING PONIES — Foxcroft Academy wrestling coaches celebrate with Pony grapplers who placed at the Noble Invitational in North Berwick in late December. From left are head coach Luis Ayala, Brandon Weston, Dustin Simmons, coach Ryan Reardon, Elijah Ames, R.J. Nelson and coach Terry Whittemore.