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| Contributed photo/jMavor Photography Robert Caudill, shown competing in a regular season match, was one of four Caribou Viking wrestlers to attain runner-up honors in Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class B championship meet. The state meet is Feb. 9 at the Augusta Civic Center. |
by Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
PITTSFIELD — Saturday proved to be a rewarding day for the Viking wrestling team.
Competing in the Eastern Maine Class B championships at Maine Central Institute, Caribou finished fourth out of 10 teams and had eight individuals qualify for this weekend’s state meet to be held at the Augusta Civic Center.
“We opened some people’s eyes this past weekend,” said Viking coach “Chico” Hernandez. “I thought we did a good job and had some wrestlers who performed their best to date.”
Caribou was unable to muster any individual titles, but four team members were runners-up in their respective divisions. Four others reached the consolation finals.
Camden Hills won the tournament with 182 points. Belfast was the runner-up with 138.5, followed closely by Ellsworth with 137.5. The Vikes scored 99 points on the day, finishing ahead of meet host MCI (61), Medomak Valley of Waldoboro (60), Mount Desert Island (44), Hermon (42), Oceanside of Rockland (35) and Central of East Corinth (25).
Michael Selander in the 160-lb. weight division, Trevonte Caudill in 103, Robert Caudill in 138 and Brendan Wood in 132 all picked up silver medals.
Selander has been a late-season surprise, according to Hernandez. He was seeded No 1 and reached the finals with two pins before losing a close match against Central’s Paul Young, 9-7. Selander had defeated Young by fall the previous week at the Penobscot Valley Conference championships.
“I have a very good feeling about him for this weekend and if he continues to wrestle like he has been, he will be rewarded and get on the podium,” Hernandez said.
Robert Caudill, who has been injured much of the year, still managed a second-place performance thanks to some outstanding wrestling.
“It’s pretty evident his conditioning is not up to par, but his talent is much better than most and he is one of the state’s best,” Hernandez said, noting Caudill is a true 126-lb. wrestler and is competing in the heavier division.
Tre Caudill has looked good as a freshman and is capable of medaling at the state meet, according to Hernandez. “He is very tricky and has lots of technique,” said his coach.
Wood competed in the event’s most competitive division. He lost to three-time state champion Brent Waterman of Belfast in the finals, 16-1, after pinning Ellsworth’s Jack Weeks in the semifinals.
Tsion McLeod in 106 earned a bronze, while Matthew Manter (195), Aaron Simon (170) and Jacob Bither (145) all placed fourth and earned berths at the state meet. Jacob Burby is an alternate after placing fifth in 182.
“[Assistant coach] Brad Burlock and I like our chances for this weekend,” Hernandez said. “We plan on a top-10 finish and a pocketful of medals.
“It won’t be easy, but we feel they can do it.”
