BUCKSPORT, Maine — In a thrilling consolation semifinal match, the Caribou Vikings’ Cory Jandreau saw his memorable wrestling season come to an end.
The junior was taken down by Caleb Chase of Wells with time running out in their 138-pound match, snapping a tie and leading Chase to a 12-10 decision at the Class B state championship tournament held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017.
The match was knotted at 4-4 entering the third period, but Chase took a four-point lead before Jandreau battled back and took the lead on a reversal and near fall with 20 seconds remaining before Chase scored some late points to prevail, sending Jandreau to a fifth-place overall finish.
They left it all out on the mat and did the best they could do,” said Jandreau’s coach, James “Chico” Hernandez. “I’m proud of Cory as this match was a tremendous experience which will carry far into next season.”
Jandreau completed the season with 25 wins, including his first in a state championship setting by a 15-8 decision over William Bourque of Erskine Academy. Prior to that match, he was beaten on a pin by eventual state champ Ethan Boucher of Mountain Valley.
“In the last two weeks, Cory has really grown so much as a wrestler more than he has in the last three seasons,” Hernandez said. “We were at Foxcroft Academy the night before as he needed a tough practice, and he got one with two-time state runner-up R.J. Nelson. [Cory] looked really good and I think that pushed him over the top.”
Hernandez said assistant coaches Robert Jandreau and Matt Manter were instrumental in helping make the season successful despite facing plenty of adversity along the way.
“We had low numbers and several snowstorms forced cancellations, but we found many silver linings by having won four dual meets, turning in good individual tournament performances and carrying a never-say-die attitude throughout.”
