Massabesic and Noble are the co-favorites at the state high school Class A wrestling championship today in Augusta.

Belfast and Lisbon are expected to cruise to titles in Class B and Class C. The state meets will be held simultaneously at the Augusta Civic Center.

Bouts starts at 9 a.m. in all three classes, with the championship finals scheduled to start at 5 p.m.

Massabesic took a big step toward winning a third consecutive state team championship last Saturday when it finished 24 1/2 points ahead runner-up Noble at the Western regional in North Berwick.

The Mustangs and Knights each will be represented by 11 wrestlers at the state meet, with four wrestlers from each team seeded first in their weight classes.

Eastern champion Cony isnīt expected to contend for a state title, but with five of their nine wrestlers seeded at the top of their brackets, the Rams could be a factor in determining whether the Mustangs extend their string of championships or Noble unseats them.

"I donīt know much about the teams from the East," Massabesic Coach Rick DeRosier said. "I havenīt scouted them."

To be successful, DeRosier said the Mustangs just need to concentrate on each match.

"Since the season started, I told my kids they canīt count on kids from other teams to knock someone out," he said. "They have to take care of the wrestler in front of them."

Massabesicīs Joey Eon will have to overcome a major stumbling block in his quest to win his fourth state championship, a feat accomplished by only 11 Maine high school wrestlers during the past 45 years.

Last Saturday, Mark Richardson of Noble recorded a 5-2 decision against Eon in the 145-pound final at the regional. It was Eonīs first loss to a Maine high school wrestler in more than three seasons.

"I think he handled the loss pretty well," DeRosier said. "A lot of kids slam doors after a loss like that, but he was already thinking what he would do different next time they wrestle when he came off the mat."

Belfast appears quite ready to defend its Class B state championship, with 10 wrestlers who qualified for the state meet at last Saturdayīs East regional in Waldoboro.

On Wednesday, Justin Philbrook, who finished fifth in the regional at 145 pounds for the Lions, was added to the mix when Sumnerīs Ryan Grover, the third-place finisher in the regional, had to drop out of the state meet because of an injury.

Belfast not only boasts quantity but quality. Seven Belfast wrestlers are seeded at the top of their bracket.

"We might have six or seven guys in the finals," Belfast Coach Teddy Heroux said.

Travis Spencer, who qualified at 189, is trying to become the first wrestler from Belfast to win four career state championships.

Kote Aldus, a Belfast junior, returns to defend his Class B title at 160. He also is the defending New England champion in his weight class.

Zach Shellabarger, who wrestles at 152 for the Lions, will take a 36-1 record into the state meet. His only loss came to Camden Hillsī Jack Simpkins, the top seed in the Eastern Class B at 140.

With all 14 of its wrestlers competing in the state meet, Lisbon is favored to win its third Class C state title in four seasons, with nine wrestlers at the top of their brackets.

Forrest Cornell, who wrestles at 112, and Marcus Bubar, at 145, each moved up one weight class after winning individual state titles last year.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:
pbetit@pressherald.com