Brock joins Pony 100-win club

    The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team traveled to Caribou on Jan. 24 for the last tournament of the regular season. The team finished in first place with six champions and two runner-ups. 
    “This is our last tune up before the PVC tournament.” Head Coach Luis Ayala said. “I was very pleased with the results today.” 

Photo courtesy of Christine Brock

    MILESTONE WRESTLING WIN — Foxcroft Academy junior Brandon Brock, pictured with his head coach Luis Ayala, recorded the 100th victory of his high school career during a tournament on Jan. 24 in Caribou. Brock entered the competition with 99 wins as a Pony, and he got to 100 in his first match of the day.

    Placing for the Ponies were in first place at 120 pounds Antonio Ayala, 126 Eli Olson, 132 Conner Johnson, 170 Billy Brock, 182 Brandon Brock and 285 Connor Holmes. In second place 106 Brandon Weston and 195 Michael Pendriss. 
    The match was another special day for one wrestler, junior Brandon Brock. He entered having 99 career wins. On his first match of the day he defeated Dexter’s Daniel Wallace for his 100th victory as a Pony.  “It’s always a great pleasure to recognize one of our wrestlers for their 100th win,” Ayala said. “It’s not an easy accomplishment and it says a lot about the Brandon. He has worked hard to get to this point. I am very proud of him in reaching this milestone.”      
    “This coming up week we are going to have to step up our conditioning and just refine our moves. The key for us is to get everybody healthy and ready to go next Saturday at Lincoln if we want to win the conference championships.” Ayala said. “This is going to be a very close race with Ellsworth and Dexter battling us for the title. It’s going to be very exciting.”
    Brock became the fourth active Pony wrestler to top the 100-win mark. He joins Brooks Law, Eli Olson, and Tino Ayala as members of the prestigious club. Senior Isaac Whittemore has 99 and will be looking for No. 100 when the Ponies compete at the PVC championship.

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    Foxcroft finished the season undefeated in duals at 16-0. On Jan. 21 the team traveled to Dexter and had a 51-24 victory vs. Ellsworth, 50-24 win vs. Dexter, 70-0 victory vs. PCHS and 69-12 win against Penobscot Valley.
    “You always have to have goals to motivate you,” Ayala said. “Our goal coming in today was to leave undefeated.  It was not easy because Ellsworth and Dexter have good teams.” 
    Injuries and illnesses have been something that all teams have been battling this year, and the meet was no exception. Both Dexter and Ellsworth were not at full strength. The Ponies were able to meet the goal and concluded the regular season undefeated with a 16-0 record. 
    Ayala said there were some very good individual matches. Conner Johnson was able to avenge an early loss to Ellsworth’s Josh Wright, defeating him 4-0.  “This was one of his better matches of the year. It gives him a lot of confidence coming to tournament time.” 
    Another great match was at 285, where Connor Holmes defeated Penobscot Valley’s Richard Woodward.  “This was a crucial win for Connor because it was for seeding purposes. By defeating him Connor will now be seeded No. 1 at PVC,” Ayala said. “Connor has been working hard on his conditioning and moves, and it showed today that he will be a force to be reckoned with come tournament time.”

Contributed photo/jMavor Photography

    FACE TIME — Foxcroft Academy’s Michael Pendriss is about to pin Dustin DeMerchant of the Caribou Vikings during their 195-pound division semifinal held Saturday in Caribou. Pendriss ended up taking second place in the tournament.

Contributed photo/jMavor Photography

    HOLDING — Dexter’s Tyler Beem holds the advantage over Caribou’s Cory Jandreau during their 120-pound division match Saturday in Caribou. Beem won by fall and went on to take second place in the division.