Caron and Francis qualify for NE wrestling finals

    NEWPORT — The state’s best wrestlers, the top four in Classes A, B and C, competed to see who will represent the Pine Tree State at next month’s New England championship in Providence, R.I. during a New England qualifier on Feb. 20 at Nokomis Regional High School.
    The top three grapplers in each weight class earned a trip to the New England finals March 8-9, and a pair from the region qualified. Dexter Regional High School’s Zachary Caron reached the championship finals in the 132-pound division.

    In the weight class’ last match, Caron was defeated by Dagen Berenyi of Ellsworth High School, 11-6, but his 132-pound runner-up status earned him a New England bid.
    Foxcroft Academy’s Todd Francis reached the consolation finals at 160 pounds. With a New England berth looming for the winner of the match, Francis earned a 15-4 major decision victory over Logan Stevens of Skowhegan Area High School.
    Brooks Law of Foxcroft reached the 138-pound consolation finals. In this match he was edged, 4-1, by Colin Sevigney of Wells High School.
    A number of other wrestlers from the region competed on Feb. 20. These wrestlers were Dillon Garnett of Dexter at 113 pounds; Antonio Ayala of Foxcroft at 120 pounds; Cameron Pratt of Piscataquis Community High School at 126 pounds; Ethan Cooley of PCHS and Jacob Hesseltine of Dexter at 145 pounds; Seth Blais of Dexter and Mathew McKusick of PCHS at 152 pounds;
    Bryce Salsbury of Dexter at 160 pounds; Mathew Mower of Dexter and Michael Pendriss of Foxcroft at 170 pounds; Brandon Brock of Foxcroft at 182 pounds; and Foxcroft’s Corbyn Bruce at 195 pounds.