Staff Writer
HOWLAND, Maine – The Vikings wrestled their way to a 3-1 record at the Penobscot Valley High School season opening tournament on Saturday. The CHS moves slammed back George Stevens Academy, Piscataquis Community High School and Calvary Chapel, only losing to the host school. “We competed well and lost to a more experienced team,” commented coach Todd Albert.
Senior Viking Carlin Dubay, a two-time state champion, senior Corey Lajoie, sophomore Dan Saucier and senior Ryan Shunemann claimed four wins in their weight divisions. Freshman Taylor Foster, sophomore Brian Vrieze, freshman Lance Jandreau, freshman Brandon Adams and sophomore Danielle Landry maneuvered to three wins each. Freshmen James Palmer and Jake Michaud added one win each.
Seven-year coach Albert looks to improve on last season’s 28-3 duel meet record and set the standards even higher for future Viking wrestlers. In 2006-07 mat action, CHS claimed the Aroostook County title, fourth in Eastern Maine and ninth in state competition.
The 2007-08 squad features six sophomores and seven freshmen. “We have a young team, so individual improvement is important,” commented Albert.
Competitors in the 103-112 pound division are: Dubay, Foster and freshman Jason Case. In 112-119: Vrieze. In 119-125: Danielle MacDonald and Jandreau. In 125-130: Saucier. In 130-135: sophomore Jerry Ferszt and Adams. At 140: Michaud. In 145-152: Landry. At 160: freshman Levi Bither. At 171: Lajoie. At 215-285: Palmer, Shunemann and sophomore Andrew Adams.
Mallory Thompson and Meagan Wood will manage this season’s squad.
Albert hopes all his wrestlers will keep healthy to play out their schedule. “I look for the wrestlers to improve both physically and technically and peak at the end-of-the-year tournaments when it counts,” said Albert.
The Vikings host their next tournament on Saturday.
