Foxcroft wrestlers see sights

 Win championship at Virginia tournament

By Ernie Clark
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team returned to campus this week a little more knowledgeable about the some of the historical landmarks around greater Washington, D.C.

Contributed photo

WRESTLING TEAM — Members of the Foxcroft Academy wrestling team pose for a photo in front of the White House. The team was in Virginia over the weekend to compete in a wrestling tourney and also spent some time touring the nation’s capital Friday and Sunday.

The Ponies also brought back a championship trophy as a token of yet another remembrance of their trip after winning the 38th annual Sterling Lions Club Terry McGowan Invitational Wrestling Tournament in Sterling Park, Va. on Saturday.

This marked the second time Foxcroft has competed in the McGowan Invitational, an event hosted by Park View High School — from where Foxcroft head coach Luis Ayala graduated and wrestled.

“It was great coming home and seeing old friends and family,” he said. “I got to see former wrestling coaches and teammates. It was very special.”

Four years ago, the Ponies finished third in the team standings and had two individual champions.

This time Foxcroft bested a field of eight rival schools from around suburban Washington, D.C., most with enrollments ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 students. Mt. Hermon High School of Norfolk County, Va., was the largest school in the field with more than 2,000 students.

Foxcroft, which has approximately 450 students, used five individual championships and three second-place performances to edge runner-up Potomac Falls, Va., 152-145.5 and win the team competition. Potomac Falls has a student enrollment of approximately 1,200.

“The team really stepped it up and showed what they are made of,” said Ayala, who is assisted by Terry Whittemore. “It’s pretty early in the season, but I like what I see.”

While many of the opposing teams filled all 14 weight classes, Foxcroft won despite competing in just 10 weight divisions.

Individual champions for the Ponies were seniors Zach Caron at 145 pounds, Brandon Brock (195) and Michael Pendriss (285), junior Billy Brock (182) and sophomore R.J. Nelson (132). Senior Antonio Ayala (126) and sophomores Breyer Manchester (106) and Brandon Weston (113) each finished second in his weight class.

Potomac Falls advanced five wrestlers to the finals with three winning individual championships.

But the trip was about more than just a wrestling tournament for the Foxcroft contingent, which spent Friday and Sunday touring the nation’s capital city. Among landmarks the group visited were the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial and the White House.

“Seeing things they have just read about or seen on TV was such a great enjoyment for a lot of the kids,” said Ayala. “I think this trip will leave a big impact on our kids and is something they will remember forever.”

Foxcroft, the reigning Eastern Maine Class B title holder and third at last year’s state meet, is expected to be among the main contenders for the state crown again this year, with defending state champion Ellsworth among the other teams to beat.

The Ponies are scheduled to return to action at 6 p.m. Wednesday in a four-way meet at Dexter with Bucksport and Piscataquis of Guilford. Foxcroft then will head to Rumford on Saturday to compete in the McDonald’s-Mountain Valley Invitational tournament.