STAFF REPORT
VERGENNES -- The Mount Anthony Union High School wrestling team began their run to their 25th straight Vermont state championship in convincing fashion on Friday night at Vergennes High School.
For the second straight year, all 14 Patriots won their way into the championship semifinals, which start Saturday at 11:15 a.m.
MAU leads the point standings after the first day with 121.5. Mount Mansfield is second at 47.5 with CVU (46), Bellows Falls-Hartford (45.5) and St. Johnsbury (42) fighting for the runner-up spot.
"We are very excited that we have placed all 14 wrestlers in the semifinals," MAU coach Scott Legacy said. "Vince Pagan had an upset win for us at 152 [pounds] that made it possible.
"The team wrestled very strong and it was business as usual."
All 14 top seeds advanced, winning their initial matches.
Miguel Calixto and Jesse Webb remained unbeaten in their quest for perfection. Webb is aiming for his 3rd consecutive Vermont championship at 285.
At the end of the quarterfinal round, MAU got pins in succession from Austin Price at 182, Brandon Marcoux-Schaefer at 195, Jack Luciano at 220 and Webb to put an exclamation point on the day.
At 152 pounds, Vince Pagan, the fifth seed in a deep weight class, pulled a 4-3 upset of No. 4 seed John McCarroll from Rutland in the quarterfinals to also reach the semifinal.
Join The Conversation
Welcome to your discussion forum:
Verified accounts are now required for immediate posting. Please verify your e-mail address in Disqus, or sign in with your social networking account. You may also post using your e-mail address (which will remain private), but those posts will first need to be approved by the moderator. Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion or approval of the Bennington Banner. This forum encourages open, honest, respectful and insightful discussions; there is no need to be offensive. Read our guidelines.