Winter preview: Fryeburg Academy varsity wrestling

KYLE BENNETT lifts his opponent into the air during Saturday's Invitational held at Fryeburg Academy. (Rivet Photo)

KYLE BENNETT lifts his opponent into the air during Saturday's Invitational held at Fryeburg Academy. (Rivet Photo)

VARSITY WRESTLING
Head Coach: Dan Fox, first year
Assistant Coach: Mike Mowry
Top returnees: Trevor Henschel (195 pounds) is a returning state champion; Hunter Day (160) and Matt Boucher (170) are returning state finalists; Willie Macfawn (182) and Conner Smith (145) are returning state qualifiers.
Top newcomers: Pat Duffy (138) is a very skilled new comer from New Jersey.
Other varsity wrestlers: Lucas Spencer (106), Dylan Knapp (113), Tommy Remedis (132), Nate Wilson (152), Trygvi Hilsman (220) and Angel Escalante (heavyweight).
Team strengths: Coach Fox says the Raiders have a number of skilled returning wrestlers and has a state-of-the-art facility to train in. “For a small school, Fryeburg has a tradition of creating great wrestlers. We may lose a dual meet due to forfeits, but we have multiple wrestlers in the finals of most tournaments,” Coach Fox said.
Key concerns: “Three of my concepts are: Every wrestler must be conditioned, without that we cannot perform. Skill will always be the most important modifier in a match, and strength is a bonus,” Coach Fox said. “Most bouts between skilled wrestlers come down to which wrestler makes no mistakes.”
We will be successful if we… I feel we are successful if each athlete grows as a wrestler and as a person during this season. Score wise, we will be successful if top scorers stay healthy and make no mistakes. As well, we need moderate level wrestlers to score some points in those consolation rounds — Coach Fox.
What I like about this team most is… I have a wrestling room full of young men who all want to be better men and better wrestlers. I don’t have any crybabies or excuse makers. I have worriers — Coach Fox.

ANGEL ESCALANTE of Fryeburg Academy (right) found himself in a tough heavyweight match against a Lisbon wrestler during Saturday's opening season meet held at Wadsworth Arena. Escalante lost this match in sudden death. (Rivet Photo)

ANGEL ESCALANTE of Fryeburg Academy (right) found himself in a tough heavyweight match against a Lisbon wrestler during Saturday's opening season meet held at Wadsworth Arena. Escalante lost this match in sudden death. (Rivet Photo)

I would call this season a success if… each man grows and we as a team learn from one another — Coach Fox.
Meet 1 Results
Although bad weather Saturday kept four schools home, the Raiders hosted their annual invitational at Wadsworth Arena. Here’s how Raiders placed in the final standings by weight class:
106: Lucas Spencer, first place
113: Dylan Knapp, first place
120: No wrestlers
132: Tommy Remedis, second place
138: Patrick Duffy, third place
145: Conner Smith, first place
152: Nate Wilson, second place
160: Hunter Day, first place; Gavin Smith, third place
170: Matt Boucher, first place; Kyle Bennett, second place
182: William Macfawn, first place
195: Trevor Henschel, first place
220: Trygvi Hilsman, second place
285:Angel Escalante, third place
Next: The Raiders travel to Rumford this Saturday for the McDonald’s Invitational held at Mountain Valley High School, starting at 9:30 a.m.