03/26/2009
enlargefrom the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
A year later, families await answers on fatalities
Owner of topless coffee shop on the comeback trail
Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
Two people in critical condition
Young Marines stick to program
Issue of homeless veterans at center stage
GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Winslow falls to York in Class B
Bard hits her marathon stride
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Correspondent
A match that didn't count had many wrestling fans thinking the competition was beginning to catch up with Matt DelGallo.
The Gardiner junior wrestler had been perfect through his first two years of high school wrestling against Maine opponents. He had won two state titles in the 112-pound class and was 75-0 entering his junior season.
So when Bonny Eagle's Dalton Groeger beat DelGallo 7-6 in the finals of the preseason Westlake Tournament, some thought DelGallo's reign over the state might be over.
Instead, DelGallo bounced back from the setback to once again go undefeated against Maine competition with 48 wins and a third consecutive state title. For his exceptional level of success, DelGallo has been named the Kennebec Journal Wrestler of the Year.
DelGallo got a rematch against Groeger at the Noble Tournament one month after the preseason loss. The second time around, DelGallo won by pin.
"It (the early loss) didn't have an effect on me because I knew I could beat him," DelGallo said. "Beating him at Noble was awesome. It was definitely something I needed to do. I don't consider it 'revenge,' just a make-up for Westlake."
By the end of the regular season, DelGallo won the Tiger, Noble and Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference tournaments. He pinned his way through the Eastern Regional tournament and won the 119-pound state championship with a 16-4 major decision over Noble's Ken Hagen.
Along the way, he set the Gardiner record for career wins with 126. DelGallo's overall record, including New England competition, is 126-6.
The only disappointment of the season came at the New England tournament. DelGallo finished fifth as a sophomore and hoped to improve on that as a junior. Instead, he lost two of three matches and was eliminated early.
"I didn't wrestle well and was very disappointed in myself," DelGallo said.
Gardiner coach Matt Hanley feels his young star is too hard on himself.
"Matt won 38 of 48 matches by pin this year" Hanley said. "It's tough to win at New Englands if you aren't facing tough competition on a regular basis."
DelGallo is looking forward to next season, when his younger brother Daniel joins the high school team.
"I'm very excited," DelGallo said. "Daniel is a great wrestler and working together will improve both his wrestling and mine."
Daniel has been highly successful at the middle school level, losing only once, according to Hanley.
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