By BEN WATANABE, Staff Writer
Getting involved in wrestling wasn’t difficult for 6-year-old Kyle Samborn of Sanford. He was emotional, the son of a wrestler, and in need of an outlet for his hyperactivity.
“They sent this thing home from school one day about wrestling, and from his first match he just dominated, “said his father, Richard Samborn.
Kyle Samborn claimed his 11th first-place prize in just over a year of competition at the Maine Games at the Portland Exposition Center on Saturday. Samborn is one of an estimated 300 wrestlers expected to compete over the course of the games, which continue today. Saturday’s competition was for younger wrestlers, both boys and girls, ranging from 4 to 13 years old.
Participants high school age and older compete today. The youth competition, though a competitive double-elimination tournament, was primarily about learning, event organizer Tony Napolitano said.
Chris Saucier, Jr., sat contently with his family eating a popsicle after finishing second to Samborn. Saucier said he is looking forward to sleepovers at his friend’s house and riding his bike this summer. His father, Chris Sucier, Sr., a four-time state champion at Penobscot Valley in the early 1990s, will wrestle today.
“He’s seen the wall full of my ribbons, trophies and plaques at home, “Saucier, Sr. said. “He wanted to try it and win some of his own so we let him. He’s a competitor.”
In the final match of the day, 178-pound Joe Doughty of Lisbon Falls officially completed his transition from a basketball player to a wrestler by winning his class. Though his friend Matt Nicholson, 12, took the credit for talking Doughty into wrestling Saturday, Doughty resolved on his own that he was not going to be outworked.
That’s what originally brought him to wrestling, Doughty said.
“I like the sport (of wrestling) itself, the adrenaline rush, “Doughty said. “Basketball wasn’t tough enough for me–not enough contact.”
When Kyle Samborn wasn’t competing, he ran wild through the gym, which his beleagured parents said is typical behavior. He munched on a grilled cheese sandwich while he and his older brother Korey, who also wrestled, professed their love for auto racing and especially Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Asked his favorite part of wrestling, Kyle’s answer was simple.
“Winning, “he said.
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