FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS — Two Lincolnville boys have each claimed a championship, and each earned ranked status in the sport of wrestling, after competing in the Maine All-State/New England Qualifier, according to a media release March 17. 

Leland Fields and Benjamin Laite, who both attend Lincolnville Central School, wrestle exclusively for Mid-Coast Wrestling Club, which is a feeder program from Camden HIlls.

The event took place in Fitchburg, Massachusetts March 14, and was the culmination of countless hours spent preparing.

Fields and Laite, who were both raised on rugged coastlines, early mornings, and a deep love for the outdoors — have forged their toughness in more ways than one. However, the wrestling mat is the place where grit truly comes alive. Fields and Laite are training partners and competitors, have spent countless hours pushing each other in pursuit of something bigger than themselves: a place among New England’s best. 

In February, both athletes stormed through the Maine All-State/New England Qualifier, each claiming a championship and earning ranked status heading into one of the region’s most demanding tournaments.

On March 14, under the bright lights in the arena, that opportunity arrived. Each bracket was stacked 32 deep with top-tier talent from across New England, including state champions, nationally ranked wrestlers, and seasoned competitors with something to prove. With the margin for error razor thin, the intensity was relentless. 

Laite wrestled like a man on a mission. Match after match, he imposed his pace, pressure, and will. Five matches. Five victories. No shortcuts. No luck. Just dominance built on preparation and belief. When the final whistle blew, Benjamin Laite stood alone at the top of the podium — New England Champion — etching his name into history as the first youth wrestler from the Camden program to ever claim that title. A breakthrough moment not just for him, but for an entire wrestling community. 

Right beside that achievement stood Leland Fields, whose path was nothing short of gritty. Battling through a loaded bracket, Leland showcased heart, resilience, and relentless drive. Every match was a fight, every position earned. Finishing 4–1 on the day, he powered his way to the finals and secured a New England runner-up finish—an accomplishment that speaks volumes about his toughness and competitive fire.

 Together, their journeys tell a bigger story. Two small-town wrestlers stepping onto one of the toughest stages in the region—and proving they belong. Not just as participants, but as contenders. As champions. As standard-setters for the next generation.

From Lincolnville to the New England podium, Leland Fields and Benjamin Laite didn’t just chase the moment—they owned it!