The Viking wrestlers wrapped up their season Feb. 14 at the Class B state championships, held at Fryeburg Academy.
Three members of coach Chico Hernandez’s squad earned the right to compete after qualifying at the Eastern Maine Championships the previous weekend.
Dustin DeMerchant, a junior and team captain, was the only Viking to score points as he placed fifth in the 195 lb. division. After a quarterfinal loss, DeMerchant was able to win by fall over Ellsworth’s Jarred Brown to reach the consolation semifinals. Jacob Truman of Gardiner then handed DeMerchant the defeat.
“He fought a good match [against Brown] and his future looks very promising as everybody else in his bracket were seniors,” Hernandez said of DeMerchant, who finished at 10-9 overall.
Axios Gerakaris, another junior competing in the 152 division, closed out his season with a 9-5 record after bowing out with a 7-2 loss to Morse’s Hunter Reed, who went on to place third in the competition, and a 12-7 defeat to Winslow’s Ben Abbott.
“Axios just didn’t have the magic going,” Hernandez said. “He was wrestling better every time he stepped on the mat, but he made some mental errors during the tournament and it cost him.
“This will serve as a good lesson for next season heading into his senior year,” the coach added.
In the 160 division, Eric Simon suffered a pair of losses as he also failed to place.
“I keep forgetting that Eric is only a sophomore and he brings back much experience for next year,” Hernandez said.
Caribou’s Evan Michaud (106) and Cory Jandreau (120) are also coming off successful seasons, combining for 30 victories. They will join Jarred Jordan (285) and Alton Pelletier (170) as those who will return next winter.
“I am very pleased with the team’s performances and the gains we’ve made,” Hernandez said. “I knew coming into the season we would have some growing pains but these kids showed what they are made of and we have a really good nucleus for next year and I can’t wait until next season.”
