Sports Reporter
CARIBOU – The Viking wrestling team has good numbers and several of the team’s athletes have a chance to enjoy success in championship meets later in the season, according to 10th-year coach Todd Albert.
VIKING WRESTLERS – Members of the Caribou varsity wrestling team are, in front from left, Brendon Wood, Jason Case and Michael Selander. Middle row, Jeremy Miller, Cameron Hill, Morgan Swan, Daniel Powers, Colby Conroy, Lance Jandreau, Ben Wyman, Dustin Green and Dylan Greenier. Back, coach James “Chico” Hernandez, Chelsea Martin, Lucas Kinney, Jake Maher, Levi Swan, Deion Caudill, Nick Michaud, Levi Bither, Jake Michaud, Ethan Stetson and coach Todd Albert. Absent when photo was taken were Amber Kelley, Adam Thibodeau, Tyler Charette and manager Ashley Drinkall.
Caribou is coming off a 16-6 record in head-to-head competition a season ago, and is off to a fast start this year after winning all three matches during a home meet Saturday.
Six of the Vikings’ performers qualified for the Class B state meet last winter and Albert hopes they can go as far or farther this year. Sophomore Brendon Wood, the team’s 130 lb. wrestler, and junior Deion Caudill, in the 189 lb. division, captured Eastern Maine titles a year ago.
Sophomore Michael Selander (125), senior Jason Case (119), junior Dustin Green (130) and senior Lance Jandreau (135) are other Caribou wrestlers who made it into the state championship.
“We want them to win as many matches as they can, and prepare them for the end-of-year tournaments,” Albert said.
Albert likes what he sees from the team so far, even though it is still early as workouts just began Nov. 29.
“When everyone is on weight and healthy, we are able to fill every weight class,” said Albert, whose team joins Fort Kent as the state’s only wrestling programs north of Lincoln. “We have a good group to coach and there is potential for some to do well.
“We have a lot of work to do, and we will see improvement throughout the year, but so far, so good.”
This year’s roster also includes sophomore Chelsea Martin (103), sophomore Amber Kelley (112), sophomore Cameron Hill (130), freshman Lucas Kinney (140), senior Jake Michaud (145), junior Colby Conroy (152), junior Morgan Swan (152), junior Ben Wyman (160), sophomore Dylan Greenier (160), junior Jake Maher (171), senior Levi Bither (171), senior Nick Michaud (189), senior Ethan Stetson (189), freshman Tyler Charette (189), senior Levi Swan (215), senior Adam Thibodeau (215), freshman Daniel Powers (215) and sophomore Jeremy Miller (215).
Ashley Drinkall is the team’s manager.
The Caribou program got a boost when James “Chico” Hernandez was hired as an assistant coach. Hernandez, a resident of Washburn, has competed internationally for nearly 40 years and has coaching experience with his alma mater, the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He is a member of the Owls’ Athletic Hall of Fame and several other wrestling halls of fame.
“He brings a wealth of wrestling knowledge and has great energy and passion for the sport,” Albert said.
The veteran head coach has high hopes for his squad and is looking forward to see how the team develops in preparation for the post-season competitions.
“Wrestling is a tough sport, but if the kids can continue to improve throughout the year, it should be fun,” Albert said.
