Medomak Valley will be honoring their 1991 State championship wrestling team on Sat. Jan 23 at their final home meet of the season. The presentation is expected to take place around 2 p.m. The meet starts at 11 a.m. and features the Panthers, Camden Hills, Mt.Valley and Morse.
“It really was a dream season. We finished the regular season with a perfect 16-0 season record, to include an 8-0 record in the KVAC. We won the KVAC championship as a B school, finished second in the Regional tournament and won the States,” former coach Doug Libby said.
“What made it such a special season was the kids that made up the team,” Libby said. “They were dedicated, motivated and made sacrifices that I probably don’t know about to this day. Coaching that team was also special because of the character of all members of the team. As I remember 75 percent of my team were on the honor roll. Although I have forgotten many of the aspects of that particular year, I will never forget the quality of that team. They earned the rewards of their hard work and perseverance.”
Members of the 2001 team who placed at States include Kevin Pelletier (4th 135), Stan Rintz (2nd 140), Bruce Winchenbach (3rd 152), Andy Jancovitch (1st 160), Nate Miller (3rd 189), and Robert Souza (3rd 275).
The following year, Medomak were Class B runner-ups with three state champions, one second and two fourth places.
Libby started the wresting program at Medomak Valley in 1969, and coached the team for 30 years. He still helps out with the team. In his career as head coach, Libby’s teams compiled a record of 301-210-7. His program produced 20 KVAC champions, 32 Regional champs, and 13 State champs. “As a team we finished seven times in the top five in the KVAC, 18 times in the top five in Regionals and 16 times in the top 10 in the States,” Libby said.
“Wrestling has brought me much pleasure over the years, to include coaching my two sons. Now I am sitting back and watching Michael, my youngest son, coaching a high school team of his own. It is very rewarding to see young people grow and develop skills necessary to succeed at a demanding sport. Those lessons carry over to aspects of everyday life. I would like to think that I have helped a few during my career.”
Libby was inducted into the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame in 2001. He was the athletic director at Medomak Valley from 1980-2003.
Libby was named KVAC Coach of the Year in 1980, 1989, and 1991, and was named Wrestling USA’s Man of the Year in 1997. He was inducted to the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame in 2001.
