LISBON — Prior to Hunter White stepping on to the mat, the Dirigo wrestler visualized erasing any previous shortcomings. His focus led to an individual championship at the Mid-State League tournament, and he helped lead a deep Cougars squad to a team victory in the final big tuneup for regional competition.

Dirigo scored 195 points to win the team championship, pulling away from Mountain Valley, which finished second with 151 points. Dirigo individual champions included White (138 pounds), Griffyn Smith (113), Bryce Whittemore (152), Dalton Berry (195) and Lucas McDonald (220).

Wells 121, Lisbon 93.5 and York 82. rounded out the top five in team scoring.

The Cougars had their collective minds geared toward dethroning Mountain Valley, which rallied by York to win the MSL crown a year ago. The Cougars advanced seven to the finals and held a 23½-point lead entering the championship consolations and finals, which were held simultaneously.

“We had a plan,” Dirigo coach Doug Gilbert said, referring to a “win together, lose together, play together, stay together” philosophy.

“I used that my first year coaching football, in fact it was down here, because at wrestling tournaments, its so easy to see wrestlers go their own ways up in the stands and lose focus,” Gilbert said.

Smith, a three-time state champion, got the ball rolling by pinning Xavier Adams of Lisbon in the finals. Dirigo seemingly secured the team crown by winning two of three head-to-head matches against Mountain Valley in the finals.

White grabbed an early lead and then executed a near-fall move en route to a 10-1 major decision against Falcon Mike Provencher. White was voted the meet’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

“Last time I took him too lightly,” said White, who lost to Provencher last week at the Hammerhead Duals. “My head wasn’t in the match. This time I took him, seriously.”

Moments later, Whittemore also recorded a 10-0 major decision over Issac Therrien of Mountain Valley.

“He is stronger than me, so I didn’t want to rush in and risk getting thrown,” Whittemore said. “I needed to be patient and stick to the game plan. I guess I should listen to my coaches more often.”

Mountain Valley champions were Caleb Austin (126), Ethan Boucher (132) and Eddie DeRoche (145). Austin out-pointed Cullen Cummings of Wells 15-7. Boucher, a two-time Class B state champion, stuck Colin Woodhead of Dirigo in 38 seconds.

“Regardless of the situation, you need to be prepared mentally for each match,” Austin and Boucher echoed. “It doesn’t matter. We go out to win. We are confident.”

Eddie DeRoche pinned Jason Cole of Lisbon in 43 seconds. Younger brother Vinny DeRoche was a finalist at 106. Cole recorded an upset in the semifinals by rolling through a move to stick Tucker Barnett (placed third) of Dirigo.

Oak Hill junior Danny Buteau won the 120 championship by executing a far-side cradle to stick Nat Grader of York. Raiders teammate Brandon Tervo won the 170-crown by injury default.

“I didn’t change anything coming in here, I just go out and do what needs to be done,” Buteau, a two-time state champion, said.

Berry used a leg trip to stick Zach Morin of Lisbon. MacDonald stuck Brendon Dean in finals. Spencer Vaughn was a finalist at 182. The Cougars’ John Flagg (120), John Wainwright (126) and Nolan DeGroot (170) each placed third at 215. Mountain Valley’s Danny Bruno and Ian Brennick each placed third at 182 and 220, respectively.

This meet marked the first time Lisbon hosted a wrestling tournament in the program’s 55 years. The Greyhounds’ Kurtis Bolton (138), Nick Lerette (152) and Bradley Harriman (160) each placed third.

“The message today was to represent your school and community proudly. The kids stepped up,” Lisbon coach Ted Abasini said.