CARIBOU, Maine — The Viking wrestling team will have to overcome the loss of a 100-win wrestler and another who fell just short of that milestone if it wants to be able to compete in a loaded Penobscot Valley Conference and Class B division.
Ninth-year coach James “Chico” Hernandez has an 11-person roster to work with, but will greatly miss graduates Cory Jandreau and Evan Michaud.
Jandreau amassed 118 victories in his career and was an all-conference choice who placed third at both the regional and state meets. Michaud accumulated 95 victories over his four years and was the third place finisher in his weight division at the PVCs.
“We will miss their leadership, motivation and drive,” Hernandez said. “They molded some of the current wrestlers into taking it to the next level and I think they accelerated their maturity, which we will need going into this season.”
The Vikings’ lineup will include Ethan Edgecomb in the 106-pound weight division, Rylee Saucier in 113, Matt McCormack in 126, Caleb Robbins in 132, Angel Riopelle in 138, Kaden DeMerchant in 145, Tom O’Meara in 152, Darian Hartley in either 170 or 182, Jacob Smart in 195 or 220, Chloe Kirschmann in 220 and Mason Smith in 220 or 285.
Caribou boasts a particularly strong sophomore group, which includes female competitors Saucier and Kirschmann.
“We’d really like to grow our girls team and produce a state champion or two in Rylee and Chloe,” Hernandez said. “We are trying very hard to sell this sport to girls as there are more girls wrestling in the state than ever before and the quality is improving.
“This is the premier year of the Girls MPA state tournament and there are many girls highly motivated to be a part of this pioneer group,” he added.
Saucier is a team captain along with Robbins, Riopelle and DeMerchant. All are sophomores who made excellent strides last season.
“We will be very young and rebuilding as well,” Hernandez said. “We hope to mature as fast as we can to stay competitive in a very tough conference and regional.”
Foxcroft Academy, Dexter, Ellsworth, Bucksport, Penobscot Valley, Mattanawcook, Hermon and Piscataquis all have formidable individual wrestlers and many have teams that will challenge to be near the top of the division.
“We will be challenged hard week in and week out throughout the season,” Hernandez said. “At season’s end, our goal is to get as many regional medalists as we can to qualify into the state tournament and hopefully we can pick up an individual state medal or two.”
The veteran head coach is assisted by Robert Jandreau. The team’s manager is Mia Thibodeau.
