WATERBORO — The goal of every high school wrestler is to someday capture a state championship. 

That dream became a little closer to reality for 20 local wrestlers who qualified for the Class A state tournament after placing in the top four of Saturday’s regional meet held at Massabesic High School.

Four local wrestlers captured regional championships with Massabesic’s Leo Amabile and Matthew Carroll and Sanford’s Sam Anderson and Isaac Plante all bringing home gold.

It was the second straight title for both Amabile and Carroll, who will both head into Saturday’s state meet looking to close out their high school careers with their first championships.

“They so far have worked hard in practice and they are doing what they are supposed to do. They know that they have one more week, one more to go,” said Massabesic coach Rick DeRosier of Amabile and Carroll.

Amabile won the 113-pound title with a win over Marshwood’s Liam Coomey, while Carroll took down Bonny Eagle’s Brian Dupuis in the 220-pound finals.

Massabesic freshman Matthew Pooler fought his way to a third-place finish at 152 pounds and senior Noah Schneider finished fourth at 195 pounds to qualify for states.

It has been a rough season for Schneider, who had missed most of the year with a dislocated elbow, but was cleared by doctors just before regionals. DeRosier is hoping Schneider can make the most of this second chance.

“At the beginning of the season, he was actually predicted to win it, so if we can get him into shape in the next week, he could be one of those guys as well in his senior year to finish off with a bang,” said DeRosier of Schneider.

Anderson, who is a junior, captured his first regional title with a hard-fought 6-5 win over Portland’s Zach Elowitch in the 160-pound finals.

Sanford coach Brent Coleman believes Anderson is ready for the challenge of states.

“His mindset is, ‘I’m not settling for anything but first,’” said Coleman of Anderson. “He’s just got an, ‘I’m not holding back, get out of my way’ kind of attitude.”

While not many people have been surprised by Anderson’s success this season, Plante has burst onto the state wrestling scene in his sophomore campaign.

Plante, who went 1-2 at regionals last year, would capture the 170-pound crown with a win over Marshwood’s Dylan Strong in the finals.

“He’s our surprise standout this year. He’s our most improved wrestler for the season,” said Coleman of Plante. “Time after time he has been underestimated and every time he’s come out on top.”

Sanford, which took third as a team at regionals, will bring seven wrestlers to the state meet. Reece LaChance (145) and Khalid Kakande (195) both took third on Saturday, while Adam Genereux (106), Travis Dionne (126) and Jackson Nickerson (182) all took fourth to qualify.

Coleman is thrilled to be bringing a large group of wrestlers to states in his first year as head coach.

“It’s overwhelming, I mean there’s no words to describe it … I’m excited,” said Coleman.

The Biddeford Tigers will bring six wrestlers to states this weekend after a strong outing at regionals.

Trey Burnham led Biddeford with a second-place finish at 195 pounds. Devon Whitmore (132) and Josiah Garcia (138) took home third-place finishes and Billy Doner (160), Brandon Avery (170) and Devyn Butler (220) all placed fourth at regionals.

Three Kennebunk wrestlers punched their tickets to the state meet.

Alden Shields finished third at 113 pounds to lead the Rams. Cole Dickinson placed fourth at 138 pounds and Jared Dyer finished fourth at 152 pounds to qualify.

“The kids wrestled pretty well,” said Kennebunk coach Steve Young. “I’m very hopeful for next weekend. It will be a tough day but I’m very hopeful that we can move them on to the All-State tournament.

The state meet will be held at Camden Hills High School in Rockport.