Victor Irwin, 2013, Wrestling

Victor Irwin, class of 2013, is arguably the most prolific wrestler in Brewer history amassing more wins and more titles than any other Brewer wrestler. Interest in the sport began when he was in 4th grade. Irwin, initially a student at Bangor High School, joined the Brewer squad when he was a freshman because Bangor did not have a wrestling program. It wasn’t long after that Irwin transferred to Brewer. His sister, Arianna, was also a wrestler on the team at that time. Additionally, Irwin participated in cross country, football and outdoor track in high school, but wrestling was his passion. His natural ability was only enhanced by his mental toughness and work ethic.

Irwin was a dominate wrestler, known throughout the State of Maine as a fierce competitor with a signature move, the “Head and Arm”, which he used to pin opponents quickly. Irwin enjoyed the physical and mental demands of the sport. A hard worker from a young age, he had goals of collegiate and Olympic wrestling and worked towards those goals without fail. He never took the easy road to success. His attitude toward training paved his way: “Work hard even when you’re tired. Just do it! Work hard always,” he would say. When other wrestlers would skip matches to save their bodies from the grueling physical and mental demands of a match, especially in preparation for a State Championship run, Irwin continued to wrestle. Training year round allowed him to develop and improve in all technical aspects of the sport, turning weaknesses into strengths.

His dominance became evident his junior year (2012) when he joined the 100 wins club and earned the Eastern Maine Class A Runner-up title. He went on to avenge his Eastern Maine loss at States to become Class A State Champion in the 195 lb. weight class. He was recognized by the Brewer City Council for his accomplishment. His senior year he went undefeated winning both the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference (KVAC) championship and the 2013 Class A State Championship in the 220 lb. weight class. His storied senior year saw him amass an astonishing 149 career wins. Irwin has stated that, “What you put into something is what you’re going to get back later in life”. His commitment to wrestling has taught him lessons which have served him throughout his life.

Additional accomplishments include becoming the first Maine wrestler to go undefeated (5-0) in the Maine-Nebraska Friendship Series Wrestling Competition established in 1985, 1st place in the Bay State Championships in Boston, and 5th in his weight class at the 2013 New England High School Championships. Of the approximate 270,000 male interscholastic wrestlers, Irwin was ranked 10th in the nation.

Brewer High School Wrestling Coach Don McCann stated, “Throughout Victor’s career he was extremely mentally tough. Physically he is stronger which is a testament to his work ethic; he’s one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet and that has carried through his career. He has the heart of a champion...He’s been a champion at every level”

Following his impressive high school wrestling career, Irwin enrolled and helped create a wrestling team at Eastern Maine Community College. His freshman year, he became the 2014 National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) New England Champion and went on to place 7th at the NCWA Championship in Allen, Texas earning him All-American status in the 235 lb. weight class. He entered the national tourney with an impressive 11-1 record, including eight victories by pin.

After college, Irwin entered amateur Mixed Martial Arts competitions training with Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine. Six feet of pure muscle, he had great success as an amateur competing in the Light Heavyweight class (200.3 lbs). He had an MMA record of 3-0-0 stopping each of his opponents in the first round. He was crowned the New England Fights Light Heavyweight Champion (205 lbs.) in 2016.

Irwin has always enjoyed training and competing. His philosophy when faced with an MMA loss is simple: he’s unwavering, he doesn’t bend, he’s committed and determined; an attitude he fostered through Brewer wrestling. His training stories are quite formidable. Imagine a 5-mile run with a 120-pound sand bag over your shoulder; one of many common training practices Irwin uses to prepare physically and mentally for the fatigue he’ll feel in a fight. A wrestling instructor at Young’s MMA, Irwin continues to be an inspiration to many young men and women alike. For his perpetual toughness and work ethic, Irwin was even featured in a local Varney GMC commercial for their GMC pick-up truck!

Currently, Victor Irwin is a professional MMA fighter and employed by Alpha Omega Masonry. In his spare time, he volunteers brewing beer with the Franciscan community of Bucksport and looks forward to future endeavors with the friars.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INDUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF OF VICTOR IRWIN

Victor Irwin and his presenter Patrick Ahmann