By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
CARIBOU — Nineteen Caribou High School students are hitting the mat this winter with the hopes of winning the Penobscot Valley Conference team wrestling title.
Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver
The Caribou High School wrestling team looks to be extremely competitive again this year. Wrestling for the Vikings this year are, from left, front row: Brendan Wood, Michael Selander and Robert Caudill. Second row: Aaron Simon, Deion Caudill, Colby Conroy, Morgan Swan and Matt Manter. Third row: manager Kaylee Butler, Daniel Powers, Rebecca King, Andromeda Grondin and Tyler Charette. Fourth row: coach James “Chico” Hernandez, Stephen Schwartz, Jared Keaton and Jacob Sperry. Absent photo was taken: assistant coach Susan Plissey, Bruce Brayall, D.J. Pizutti, manager Hillary Belanger, Tom McClean and Jacob Bither.
Head coach James “Chico” Hernandez said the team has a mixed bag of very experienced wrestlers and novices, but depending on how the team matures it can be very competitive.
“We had a very good performance over the weekend at the Penobscot Valley High School Pre-Season Tournament,” the coach said.
Winning gold over the weekend were seniors Deion Caudill, Bruce Brayall and sophomore Matt Manter.
Captaining the Viking wrestling team this year are seniors Colby Conroy and Caudill, and juniors Brendan Wood and Michael Selander. Both Wood, 29 wins last year, and Selander, 21 wins last year, are two-time individual state tournament qualifiers. Coach Hernandez called Caudill the best technician and wrestler in the room and Conroy is a hard worker and this could be his year. Hernandez said Wood is the hardest worker in the room, who is very quick and uses that to his advantage. The coach called Selander a very slick wrestler.
Rounding out the team are senior Morgan Swan; juniors Aaron Simon and D.J. Pizutti; sophomores Daniel Powers, Tyler Charette, Stephen Schwartz, Jared Keaton, Tom McClean and Jacob Bither; and freshmen Robert Caudill, Rebecca King, Andromeda Grodin and Jacob Sperry. The team is managed by Hillary Belanger and Kaylee Butler. The assistant coach is Susan Plissey.
Hernandez said he is very pleased with the early results, but stressed the team has a long road ahead of it, but with heart and training they may be able to become champions.
