DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — The Caribou Vikings’ wrestling team competed at the Foxcroft Academy Wrestling Tournament Saturday and came away with a gold medal, courtesy of Dustin DeMerchant in the 195 lb. division.
Alton Pelletier took bronze medal at 182 lbs., while Evan Michaud and Cory Jandreau both took fourth place in their respective divisions.
DeMerchant took first place by defeating his opponents from Calais, Bucksport and Foxcroft Academy, all by pin.
“Dustin is coming around and putting together a nice string of wins. He still needs to wrestles smarter and make better choices. His victory over Foxcroft will help big time when it comes down to the seedings at the upcoming regionals in a few weeks,” said coach Chico Hernandez.
Alton Pelletier took third place by pinning by his Woodland High School opponent, Riley Pratt, in the consolation finals. Pelletier had lost to Pratt twice over the past couple weeks.
“Alton is improving his mental toughness,” Hernandez said. “Like most of the others, Alton still needs to wrestle basics and develop his confidence which is getting better which each outing. I love his attitude and this will take him far in a very tough sport.”
Jandreau (120 lb. division) and Michaud (106) were defeated in the consolation finals to cap off what Hernandez called a successful day on the mat.
“Once again I am pleased with our performances and am starting to see slow improvement of the wrestlers,” said the coach.
Other teams competing in the tourney were defending Class B state champions Camden Hills, Woodland, Bucksport, PVHS, Mattanawcook Academy, PCHS, Hermon, Calais, Washington Academy and the host Ponies.
The previous Saturday, Jan. 3, three Vikings captured gold medals and two others earned silver at Saturday’s wrestling tournament hosted by Mattanawcook Academy.
Michaud in the 106-lb. weight division, Eric Simon in 160 and DeMerchant in 220 were all victorious, while Jandreau and Pelletier both placed second. Taking fourth place in the 285 division was Jarred Jordan of the Vikes.
Michaud got things going for Caribou with a pin in the finals over his PCHS opponent to claim the gold.
“Evan is wrestling pretty well so far,” said Caribou coach Chico Hernandez. “He still has a long way to go, but if he keeps his winning attitude and develops more mental toughness and focus, he will go far.”
Simon defeated his Medomak Valley opponent in the championship after losing to him a week earlier in Pittsfield.
“If Eric can learn a few more moves and be more consistent, he will be a factor at the end of the season in the regionals,” Hernandez said.
DeMerchant wrestled up a weight class from his normal 195, but bested his Calais opponent by fall.
“Dustin still needs to wrestle smarter and make better choices and needs to be more offensive, but if he can believe his moves will work, he will do fine as this season winds down in a few weeks at the regionals,” said his coach.
The team was without two injured wrestlers, Lucas Doucette and Axios Gerakaris, and both hope to return soon.
Caribou travels to Ellsworth High School for another tournament this Saturday.
