SOUTH BERWICK — The Marshwood wrestling team absolutely dominated the Class A state tournament last year as the Hawks had 10 wrestlers get on the podium and won the team title by more than 100 points.
A big part of the Hawks’ run to the championship was their three state champions. One was expected as senior Brad Beaulieu captured his fourth gold at 138 pounds. The other two state champions for Marshwood would be first-time winners — and they just happen to be from the same family.
Matt Thompson burst onto the Maine wrestling scene with a gold medal at 120 pounds in his freshman campaign, while older brother James Thompson won his first title at 195 pounds.
“It was awesome … it was just crazy. I didn’t think it would happen,” said Matt.
“Winning last year together was just awesome. As a freshman he won states, so just for himself that was awesome but sharing that (with him) was incredible,” added James, who is now a senior.
Marshwood head coach Matt Rix was thrilled to see the Thompson brothers grab gold last season.
“That was something special last year when they both won,” said Rix. “They are just great kids. They come from a great family … I coached their dad (Jamie) in one of my first years coaching. “
One thing winning a state title does is put a target on your back for the next season.
“It’s been a lot different just like always worrying about people coming after you,” said Matt. “They want to beat you just because you won (states). Coach told me that people are going to come after you this year.”
“I told them, ‘you’ve marked yourself and set yourself a bar … everybody’s coming at you, you’re state champs now,’” said Rix on his message to the Thompsons this season.
Both wrestlers have had their ups-and-downs this season, but they are in position to once again challenge for a state title this weekend. James won the regional crown at 195 pounds last weekend, while Matt was the runner-up at 132 pounds.
No matter what happens this weekend, the Thompson brothers are going to enjoy their final couple weeks as teammates.
“It’s kind of sad because this is the last year I’ll get to (wrestle) with him,” said Matt.
“I mean it always sucks coming to an end, you always dread the end but you obviously know it’s coming. I don’t take it very hard, not that I’m going to wrestle in college or anything, but my life is moving on,” said James, who has loved his time wrestling with his brother. “It’s a blessing that he’s here, and just having a brother on the team makes the team even more like family.”
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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