By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The Caribou Vikings continued their excellent record in dual matches by defeating Ellsworth and George Stevens Academy last Wednesday in Blue Hill.
The previous day, Caribou had a great showing at the Hermon Holiday Tournament, placing second out of 19 teams and putting five wrestlers in the finals.
Caribou improved to 10-1 on the season with the sweep over Ellsworth and GSA. Coach Todd Albert was particularly impressed with the win over the Eagles, who were undefeated entering the match.
“We came to wrestle and won a few key matchups,” Albert said of the 51-18 triumph.
Colby Conroy, in the 152 lb. division, and Michael Selander in 119 both managed to pull off second-period pins over their opponents. Jason Case dropped down a weight class to 112 and Lance Jandreau did the same to 130, and each came through with victories by fall.
Albert said that even though 125 lb. wrestler Brendon Wood lost a 4-2 decision to his opponent, “he is gaining valuable experience wrestling in close matches.”
Caribou won four of the five contested matches against GSA, which had to forfeit eight matches. Jake Michaud in 145, Conroy, Levi Bither in 160 and Levi Swan in 215 all were victorious by pin. Selander lost by technical fall (16-0) to Jordan Lord of GSA in the 119 match.
At the Hermon tourney, Deion Caudill pinned Ellsworth’s Patrick Kidder in 2:14 to earn the title in the 189 lb. division.
“He pinned his way through his division and wrestled tough all day long,” Albert said. Four other Caribou wrestlers reached the championship round, including Case in 119, Wood, Jandreau in 140 and Michaud, who won a difficult semifinal match to reach the finals.
Bither placed fourth in the 160 division.
Foxcroft Academy came in first in the tourney with 123 points, while Caribou followed with 105. Erskine Academy of South China was third with 103, followed by host Hermon with 102.
“We had a good week of wrestling,” Albert said. “Even though we went four days without practicing because of the holidays and the weather, we were able to put in a good performance on the mat.”
Caribou goes back to work today, travelling to Howland for matches against Bucksport and Penobscot Valley High School.
On Saturday, the Vikings will host Hermon, Old Town and Calais for matches beginning at 10 a.m.
