Caribou placed sixth in the competition, with Foxcroft Academy, the host Eagles and Dexter taking the top three slots and at the beginning of the season, Hernandez felt his team was capable of finishing in the top three before things started to unravel.
Caribou’s Iziaih Thayer (right) grabbles with Foxcroft Academy’s Michael Pendriss during the 220 pound championship match at the Penobscot Valley Conference Wrestling Championships at Ellsworth Saturday.
(Ashley L. Conti )
“On paper, this team had the ability to be maybe the second best team in the conference,” he said, “but week to week we were plagued by a combination of academic ineligibilities, injuries, sickness and the inability of team members to make weight.”
The Vikings ended up with just seven wrestlers able to compete, but six of them placed among the top four in their respective weight division to earn medals.
Those bringing home hardware were Izaiah Thayer, who earned a silver in the 220 lb. class; Cory Jandreau in 132, Devin Roy in 152 and Dustin DeMerchant in 195, all bronze medalists; and Colton Conley in 285 and Calvin Mockler in 126, who came away with fourth-place medals.
“I thought they all did great,” Hernandez said. “Izaiah pinned a tough Wally Moon of Ellsworth to reach the championship finals, Cory won three fights, Devin pinned his Ellsworth opponent to win his consolation final and Dustin battled back to defeat Dexter’s David Kirkshain after losing to him in the early rounds.
“Colton and Calvin both toughed it out with rib injuries and fought well,” the coach added. “All things considered, the guys pulled it together.
Next for Caribou are the Class B North Regionals on Saturday and Hernandez borrowed a line from New England Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick on his approach.
“It’s on to Winslow,” he said, “and if we can get a couple of our key wrestlers back, we should be able to get some of our kids to the state championships in Rockland the following weekend.”
