Three Lincoln Academy wrestlers, Derek Juchnik (2nd 140), Alex Benner (3rd 152) and Dalton Peaslee (4th 285) placed in the top four at the West Class B Regional Wrestling championships in Fryeburg on Saturday to qualify for the State Class B championships to be held at Medomak Valley in Waldoboro on Sat., Feb 13.
Three wrestlers placed fifth, out of medal contention, but will travel to States as alternates, including Roger Guptill (189), Nikki Leeman (103) and Brendan Mammina (125).
Mt.Valley won the West B title with 145 points, followed by Fryeburg 132.5, Morse 129.5, Wells 123.5, Oak Hill 122, Gardiner 99, York 94, Lincoln 42, Winslow 23 and Greely 9.
Derek Juchnik (140) drew a bye in the quarterfinals, then beat Chandler Smith (Gar) by 12-6 decision to advance to the finals. Juchnik, nursing an injured ankle, forfeited to Josh Thornton (MtV) in the finals to take second place. Juchnik collected his 100th career win in his match with Smith. He is the fifth Eagle to earn 100 wins, joining Donnie Hyson, Loren St.Cyr, Daniel Farrar and David Gregory.
Alex Benner (152) beat Pat F-Brown (Gar) by 13-0 decision, lost an 8-1 decision to Stefan Emery, and pinned Levi Colson (Mor) in 4:36 to advance to the consolation finals. Benner beat Mike Burgess (Wel) by 12-2 decision in the finals to take third place.
Dalton Peaslee (285) was pinned by Zach Kidney in 5:08 in his first match of the day and dropped to the consolation round where he drew a bye, pinned Alex Mercurio (Yor) in 55 seconds, and pinned Brandon Gardner in the semifinals in 2:03 to advance to the consolation finals. Peaslee met up with Kidney in the finals and was pinned in 2:15 for fourth place.
Nikki Leeman (103) lost by 17-1 tech fall to Porter Rooney (Wel), drew a bye and then was pinned by Gary Stevens (Mor) in :49 seconds.
Harley Benner (112) lost a 20-7 decision to Dylan Harrington (Mor), drew a bye, and was pinned by Nicole Burgess (MtV) in 2:57.
Sarah Alley (119) was pinned by Jake Thurston (Fry) in 1:06, drew a bye, and was eliminated by Jackson Howard (Wel) by fall in 1:50.
Brendan Mammina (125) lost a 4-0 decision to John Freitag (Yar), beat Chris Eastman (Fry) by 9-6 decision, pinned Joe Provencher (MtV) in 4:22, before being eliminated from the tournament in the consolation semifinals.
Dylan York (130) was pinned by Dan DelGallo (Gar) in 2:16 and lost to David Fontanex (Mor) by 17-2 tech fall.
Daniel Mayer (135) was pinned by Bill Gauthier (Yar) in 1:23, drew a bye, and was eliminated by Brandon McDougal (Mor) in 2:14.
Olivia Genthner (145) was pinned by Robert Sager (MtV) in 5:16 and lost a 10-1 decision to Olivia LaBrecque (OH).
Drew Bryant (160) was pinned by Mike Hamm (OH) in 4:36, drew and bye, and lost an 8-3 decision to Nate LaPointe (Gar).
Roger Guptill (189) lost a 12-9 decision to Zach Surrette (OH), drew a bye, pinned Stephen Faherty (Fry) in 57 seconds, and was pinned by Lance Williams in 43 seconds in the consolation semifinals.
