WESTBROOK – The Westbrook wrestling team rode three individual championships to place second in the team competition at the SMAA Wrestling Classic at Marshwood on Jan. 22.

Seniors Manny Vincent (145 pounds) and Steve Sawyer (189 pounds) as well as junior Graham Strondak (152 pounds) all took home first place in their individual weight classes.

Marshwood took home the overall team championship and Kennebunk placed third behind Westbrook.

In addition to the Blazes’ three individual titles, Westbrook got second-place finishes from freshman Marty Rioux (103 pounds), senior co-captain Glenn Emery (119 pounds) and senior co-captain Troy Fogg (160 pounds). “Emery wrestled a tough match but lost in the finals to two-time state champion, Jake Rasque of Marshwood, 5 – 3,” said Westbrook Head Coach Ryan Hutchins.

Sophomore Scott Kirkpatrick placed fourth at 140 pounds. “All Westbrook wrestlers had at least one victory on the day, with seven of the 12 placing in the top four of their weight classes,” he said.

For Vincent and Strondak, it was their first tournament championship, Hutchins said. Vincent’s win in the finals was by pin over Patrick Cormier of Portland. Strondak’s win came over returning Maine state-runner up, Ryan Cook of Bonny Eagle by a score of 8 – 3. Sawyer’s win came by pin over Micah Lewis of Noble.

Sawyer also earned his 100th career victory in the semifinals by pinning Marshwood’s Jake Barisano. He joined Emery, who earned his 100th victory earlier this month against Kennebunk. Emery and Sawyer each have only one loss on the season.

Hutchins said the high finish is the continuation of a strong season on the mats for the Blazes, as the team’s record in dual meets stands at 7-2. “Overall, it was our third second-place finish at a tournament this season,” he said. “In December, we placed second at the Tiger Invitational at Gardiner, and the weekend before last, we placed second at the Kennebunk Duals tournament, upsetting the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds before losing to Noble in the finals.”