TOPSHAM — The legacy of any high school wrestler can be cemented at the state tournament. If a wrestler can put together a string of wins, he will be forever remembered as a champion.

Four local wrestlers accomplished that mission on Saturday, as Biddeford’s Dominick Day and Massabesic’s Zac Richard, Trevor Walton and Mike Risti all claimed gold at the Class A state championships at Mt. Ararat High School.

Day captured his second straight championship as he won the 152-pound crown with a 5-2 win over Skowhegan’s Kameron Doucette.

“It feels amazing,” said Day, who rolled into the finals with a pin in the quarterfinals and a major decision in the semis. “Just to come back and say that I did it twice and I could defend my title from last year is amazing.”

Biddeford head coach Steve Vermette was happy to see all of Day’s hard work pay off for a second straight season.

“He’s a good kid, he’s a great worker and I’m just proud to have been able to coach him,” said Vermette.

Vermette has also seen Day help take the Tigers’ program to the next level.

“Our program is building because of kids like Dominick Day. We had 20-plus kids on the wrestling team and the wrestlers are walking around the high school with pride,” said Vermette.

Day wasn’t the only local wrestler to make it back-to-back state titles as Massabesic’s Risti also won his second straight gold.

The senior only had to spend 42 seconds on the mat as he picked up quick falls in the quarterfinals and semifinals and then received a forfeit win in the 220-pound finals.

“It feels cool but I wish I had someone to wrestle in the finals. It kind of stinks that I didn’t get to wrestle,” said Risti, who received the forfeit after Noble’s Zac Schulntz was injured in his semifinal match.

Joining the elite group of two-time state champions was special for Risti.

“It’s pretty cool. Not a lot of people get a chance to do that,” said Risti.

For Massabesic’s other state champions, it was the first time ”“ and something they will never forget.

Richard came into his final state tournament looking for redemption after falling by one in overtime in last year’s state finals to a wrestler he had beat in the past.

“It feels really good considering last year I probably should have won it ”¦ it’s just like finally I’m on top of the podium,” said Richard, who beat Noble’s Otto Keisker by a 7-4 score in the 145-pound finals.

Richard is thrilled to add his gold medal to the Massabesic collection.

“My whole life growing up I watched my two (assistant) coaches, (Ethan) Gilman and (Alex) Holland, win states and I just always wanted to be there. So, going out there I was like ”˜this is it, last chance, give it all you got,’” said Richard.

Walton, who is just a sophomore, captured the 195-pound title with a 5-3 win over Nokomis’ Chris Wilson.

“It feels pretty good,” said Walton, who was happy to win a title with his teammates. “It means a lot to me; they are seniors and best friends and I’m proud of them.”

Six other locals picked up medals on Saturday, including Massabesic’s Leo Amabile and Jeff Bryan, who both finished third.

Amabile, who dropped a 6-0 match to eventual 106-pound champion Cody Craig of Skowhegan in the semifinals, picked up a first-period fall in the third-place bout.

“I would have liked to come out first, but I had a tough semis match and it feels pretty good,” said Amabile on taking third.

The standout was happy to finish his state tournament with a pin.

“It was nice. I just went out there, took him down and I finished it,” said Amabile.

Bryan jumped out to a big lead in his third-place match after scoring back points with a cradle and held on for an 11-7 win.

“It felt really great,” said Bryan. “I got up early with the cradles, but then I kept losing the grip. The kid’s legs were strong, but I managed to pull this one off.”

Bryan, who is originally from Pennsylvania, was happy to place in his first Maine state tournament.

“It feels great. I’m on a good team and they all support me. If it wasn’t for those guys and their support I don’t think I would have made it here,” said Bryan.

Also placing at the state meet were Massabesic’s Logan Martin (152), Biddeford’s Austin Burnham (285) and Sanford’s Sam Anderson (160) and Chase Eldridge (170), who all placed fourth.

Marshwood captured its fourth straight Class A team title with 183 points. Noble was second, with Skowhegan third and Massabesic fourth.

All 10 of the local state medal winners will now head to Sanford High School on Saturday for the New England qualifier. The top four in each weight class from Class A, B and C will meet to decide which three wrestlers from each weight will head to the New England Championships in March.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 322 or sports@journaltribune.com.