Boothbay wrestler looks overseas
Howard Carter, left, is shown here wrestling in February at Lincoln Academy. Carter, a Boothbay Region High School sophomore, was recently invited to wrestle at the 15th annual Down Under International Games in Auckland, New Zealand. File photo
Howard Carter, left, is shown here wrestling in February at Lincoln Academy. Carter, a Boothbay Region High School sophomore, was recently invited to wrestle at the 15th annual Down Under International Games in Auckland, New Zealand. File photo
For Boothbay Region High School sophomore Howard Carter, wrestling has the ability to take him places.
Carter said if he keeps working at his craft he could compete for a state title in 2014, and he could see himself wrestling for a college.
But, before any of that happens, Carter could be wrestling a bit further away.
Carter, who wrestles with Lincoln Academy, was recently invited to represent Maine at the 15th annual Down Under International Games in Auckland, New Zealand beginning July 2.
“This would be a good chance to go to a lot of different places and explore the world a little bit,” he said. “You can't be confined to Boothbay Harbor forever.”
Carter said he is considering raising the necessary money to go on the trip but wasn't yet sure if he would go.
Carter said he is still considering the offer; if he wrestles well again next year he will be eligible again.
But, the sophomore said the draw of wrestling for his home state is strong.
“It would mean a lot to me to be able to represent Maine,” he said. “It would be pretty special (to go overseas).”
Carter said the wrestlers who all finished ahead of him at the state tournament were seniors and thus not eligible to represent Maine.
“It's only open to freshmen, sophomores and juniors,” he said.
Carter is coming off a successful season in which he wrestled in the 170-pound class and made it to the February 9 state tournament in Augusta. Next year, he plans to drop down a weight class or two and wrestle in either the 160-pound class or with the 152s.
“I've been running track so I'm down to 157 now,” he said. “But, I'll start lifting weights and getting stronger soon.”
Regardless of whether or not he goes to the New Zealand or not, Carter said he is focused on one thing: adding a state title to his resume.
“If I keep getting better, I feel like I'll have a good shot to win a state title next year,” he said. “(Wrestling in college) is something I might try and pursue, but it all depends on what I'm able to do next year.”
Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or benbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.
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