The Boothbay Region wrestling team begins the 2015-16 season with two new wrestlers joining four returning veterans in a new class. Boothbay Region finished eighth in the Class C State Championships last February. But this season, Boothbay Region will compete in Class B as the Maine Principals Association condensed high school wrestling into two divisions.

Boothbay Region’s top returning wrestler is Draco Peaslee, who finished third in the 138-pound division in the final Class C State meet. This year, Peaslee is wrestling in the 152-pound division. This is his second season wrestling.

Boothbay Region coach Allan Crocker believes Peaslee improves every day.

Peaslee pinned three of his first five opponents in the team’s first meet on Dec. 5 using his aggressiveness and experience.

“He is the best wrestler on the team,” Crocker said. “His improvement last year was profound. As he learns how to control his aggressiveness, this should lead to another successful season.”

Junior Nick Labonte is another returning wrestler. He has been with the team since it returned as a varsity sport in 2013. Labonte is wrestling in the 126-pound class. Crocker applauds Labonte’s dedication to the sport. Labonte attended wrestling camp in the summer. Crocker expects Labonte’s hard work and dedication will result in a successful season.

“Nick’s dedication is obvious. He’s probably the hardest worker on the team,” Crocker said.

Labonte is excited about the new season.

“I’m looking forward to wrestling. I just love it,” Labonte said. “It’s a sport that rewards hard work and dedication. That’s what I love most about it.”

Junior Dylan Peters is another wrestler anxious for the new season. He finished fourth in the 132-pound class at last year’s state championship meet. Peters is looking forward to pinning his first opponent this season.

“I’m looking forward to pinning more opponents. I had none last year,” he said.

Crocker described Peters as one of his most passionate wrestlers.

“He absolutely loves it. At the end of last season, he couldn’t wait for next season,” said Crocker.

As a second-year wrestler, Peters should be more ready to compete against top competition. He is wrestling in the 145-pound weight class this year.

Junior John Lucas is another second-year wrestler. Lucas has experienced the most physical growth in the past year. He wrestled in the mid-130-pound divisions last season. This year, he is competing in the 170-pound class.

“He has grown and developed muscle,” Crocker said. “In practice, he’s flying all over the place. Once he starts controlling his body, he will surprise a lot of people by the year’s end.”

Lucas is trying to master lessons he learned last season as a first-time wrestler.

“I’m working on my moves and techniques,” he said. “I want to do better this year and get a lot of pins.”

Coach Crocker also has two wrestlers who participated in other winter sports last season. Both wrestlers are his nephews. Sophomores Cameron Crocker played basketball last year and Connor Demmons was on the Nordic team. Coach Crocker described both wrestlers as “good athletes” who should improve as they become more knowledgeable about the sport.

Demmons is wrestling in the 220-pound class. Coach Crocker is focusing on teaching him techniques for wrestling tall opponents.

“With experience he will do fine,” said Coach Crocker. “He is strong and aggressive. Once he learns a few moves Connor will be a very competitive wrestler.”

Coach Crocker believes Cameron Crocker has a lot of potential. But Cameron Crocker faces two major challenges as he embarks on his new sport. One is that basketball skills don’t easily transfer into wrestling. The second, he is starting the season in the wrong weight class.

Cameron Crocker starts the season in the 195-pound class. His coach believes he is better suited to the 175- or 182-pound class.

“The early season is going to be a challenge for him. Cameron is probably wrestling in too high a weight class,” said Coach Crocker. “Once he improves his balance and uses his hips, he will win more than he loses by season’s end.”

The wrestling team competes 10 times before the regional meet on Feb. 6. Coach Crocker advised his team to focus on improving, and don’t worry about early season results.

“For us it’s all about the regionals. I expect us to improve and by then we can show everybody what Boothbay wrestling is all about,” Coach Crocker said.

Boothbay Region was scheduled to compete in the Mountain Valley Invitational tournament on Dec. 12 in Rumford. The tournament includes Southern Maine Class A and B teams.