Erskine’s Wynn Pooler, right, faces off against Lincoln’s Adam St. Cyr in the 106-pound final at the Class B state championship last season in Bath. Pooler won the match. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
Wynn Pooler enjoyed a standout season on the wrestling mat at Erskine Academy last winter, winning a Class B title in the 106-pound division.
He enjoyed a strong season off the mats, too, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average to become an Academic All-American. He was one of just seven Maine high school students to earn national honors.
“It was definitely my goal to win states,” said the 15-year-old Pooler, who is entering his sophomore year at Erskine. “But I was pretty surprised when I learned I was an Academic All-American. I didn’t even think it was a possibility that I could get it. It was a nice surprise.”
Pooler became the first freshman in school history to win an individual wrestling title. He would go on to finish 12th at New Englands in his weight class.
Erskine Academy headmaster Michael McQuarrie said Pooler is a great example of how students can excel in athletics while doing the same in the classroom.
“He is a standout on the mat. He is a standout in the classroom,” said McQuarrie. “He is a terrific school citizen. Any and all schools would do well to have Wynn Poolers in their school.”
Pooler remains humble when speaking about his wrestling accomplishments.
Erskine’s Wynn Pooler, top, gets a hold of Dexter’s Garrett Tibbetts during a Class B semifinal match last season in Bath. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
“I just work as hard as I can,” Pooler said. “I don’t think I do anything that other people don’t do. I just try and put effort into everything I do.”
Logan Walsh, a trainer at the Wrestler’s Way club in Belfast, works with Pooler twice a week. Walsh said that Pooler is determined to improve every time he steps on a mat.
“He has a hard work ethic, a drive, a love for it,” Walsh said. “He has all the things that coaches want to see. You can’t not love him.”
Pooler’s biggest goal is to improve on his performance at the New England championships.
“This coming year, I definitely want to make the podium at New Englands,” Pooler said. “I just want to keep improving and building on what I am good at and improve on what I am not good at.”
Walsh added that Pooler can accomplish those goals.
“For Wynn, the sky is the limit,” said Walsh. “He’s going to be super successful.”
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