CARIBOU, Maine — James “Chico” Hernandez begins his sixth season as the head coach of the Vikings’ varsity wrestling team with his entire roster intact from a year ago, plus many additions who will help fill most of the 17 weight divisions.
The 2016-17 season was a challenging one, according to Hernandez, who cited low numbers due to transfers, academic ineligibility and disciplinary issues. In addition, three tournaments and a dual meet and several practices were cancelled due to many winter storms.
Despite those setbacks, Caribou finished with a 4-5 record in dual meets, which was the ninth best mark in Class B North out of 23 teams.
Cory Jandreau is back after stringing together 25 match wins a year ago. He was selected to the All-Penobscot Valley Conference and All-Region teams and Hernandez said he was 10 seconds away from medaling at the state meet.
Hernandez said Jandreau and Evan Michaud, both senior captains, will be in the hunt for state medals and could even challenge for state championships.
“They have worked together for years and they feed off each other,” said the coach. “It will not be easy as they both are in very competitive weight classes with many rivals in the conference, but they both are elite wrestlers and know as many or more moves than many.
“They both need to gain the mental attitude that they are the best around and believe more in themselves in the very tough matches,” Hernandez added. “If they believe, then they can do it.”
Jandreau competes in the 145-pound division, while Michaud is in 138.
Jarred Jordan is another senior captain and mans the 285-pound class.
“He is a darkhorse and has the ability to upset anybody in his weight class,” Hernandez said.
Brooke DeMerchant is the lone manager but could also suit up in the 170-pound division.
Cage Lister is the lone junior and wrestles in 182, while Tristin Soucier (126), Kirtas Jandreau (195) and Matt Smith (285) are sophomores on the roster.
Hernandez welcomes a large freshman contingent, with eight joining the Vikes after many competed at the middle school level last year.
“Much of the team is very green and they will have to make a major transformation from the style of wrestling in middle school to a very competitive Penobscot Valley Conference,” he said. “They will be challenged every week, but they have a superb attitude and are very hard workers.”
Rylee Saucier in 106 and Kaden DeMerchant in 152 have been surprises in the early going. They are joined by Caleb Robbins in 120, Angel Riopelle in 132, Jeremy Bolen and Matt McCormack in 160, Jonah Thayer in 170 and Chloe Kirschmann in 220.
Robert Jandreau returns for his fourth season as Hernandez’s assistant coach.
“Everyone will be a test for us as we are a very young team,” Hernandez said. “I think we can pull off some dual meet upsets during the season, but we’ll take some lumps. I feel it will pay off at the end when it counts the most.”
He expects Bucksport, Ellsworth, Mattanawcook Academy and Foxcroft Academy to be the top teams in the PVC.
Caribou competes on the road for a majority of its meets, but will host an eight-team tournament on Jan. 6 and will host a home meet against Fort Kent Jan. 17. The conference championships are Feb. 3 at PVHS in Howland, the regionals Feb. 10 at Mount View in Thorndike and the state meet is Feb. 17 at Wells.
