By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU, Maine — The Viking wrestling program was stung over the off-season in numerous ways.
Two top-flight performers, Michael Selander (fifth in the state last year) and Brendan Wood (third place), graduated last spring.
Other voids in the roster were created when talented brothers Trevonte and Robert Caudill transferred to Cony High School in Augusta.
Academic ineligibility and defections since workouts began in mid-November have also played a role in the team’s current roster consisting of only 10 wrestlers.
Still, third-year coach James “Chico” Hernandez is undeterred in keeping what is now the only wrestling team in Aroostook County competitive.
“We have to pick up the pieces and move on and develop new talent,” Hernandez said, “and with our coaching staff, I think we can do that.”
Hernandez is drawing from the experience of his assistant, Wood, as well as volunteer assistants Deion Caudill and Josh Sparks. Like Wood, Caudill is a former Viking wrestler, while Sparks has competed collegiately at the Div. III level.
“I think we have a great corner group,” said Hernandez.
Caribou is led by its solid trio of senior captains, who have all placed at the Eastern Maine level during their careers.
Matt Manter wrestles in the 195 weight division, Jake Bither in 160 and Rebecca King in 120.
Manter is called by Hernandez “a student of the sport” and has worked hard in developing his talent.
“Matt may be our best chance to get a state medal this year,” said his coach. “We need to clean up some things, but he is very dangerous and tough on the mat.”
Manter said that attending last year’s CHS wrestling camp and another at Foxcroft Academy has helped his performance on the mat.
“I beat some guys that were pretty good and learned a lot,” said Manter, who may end up wrestling down a class at 182.
“My freshman year, I was losing to everybody and now I’m beating everybody,” he added. “I know what to expect and have a coach that keeps pushing me to get better.”
Bither is one of the strongest members of the team, as evidenced by his bench press of 210 lbs.
“He’s becoming more technically sound,” Hernandez said. “He is very methodical but is learning how to be a power wrestler with technique.”
Both Manter and Bither have started the season with identical 10-0 records.
King placed in the regional meet as a sophomore, but missed out last year. Hernandez is unsure she will compete at her current weight or move down to 113, where he feels she could be a threat to win a title. She holds a mark of 7-3 on the young season.
Axios Gerakaris, a sophomore, joins the captains as All-Aroostook wrestlers from a year ago. He is currently 6-1 and has jumped from the 126 weight class last year to 152.
“He has lots of energy and heart and is very aggressive,” Hernandez said.
Sophomores Colton Conley (220) and Dustin DeMerchant (195) are the only other returnees. New to the squad are freshmen Noah Cousins (113), Eric Simon (145) and Kyle Morris (120). Junior Nolan Powers (171) is another first-year wrestler, while Danny Powers, a senior, is a manager who is willing to suit up and fill a weight class if needed.
Fort Kent has dropped its program, which has cut down the Vikings’ number of local meets, but Hernandez said Penobscot Valley High School of Howland and Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln have become more common opponents and that he has a good relationship with those two schools.
Ellsworth, Foxcroft Academy, Belfast and Camden Hills are the top teams in Eastern Maine Class B that Caribou will contend with at the regional level.
“Our captains have proven themselves to be among the best in the state. As for everybody else, they need to prove themselves,” Hernandez said. “It’s a rebuilding year for sure, but we will have fun in the process though.”
