Reggies hang on; Winchester perfect
BRIDGEWATER -- Greater Lawrence became the first vocational school to win a state wrestling title when the Reggies edged Franklin, 34-33, to win the MIAA Division 2 championship yesterday at Bridgewater State College.
The Reggies trailed, 23-22, going into the 171-pound match between Luis Villafane and Franklin's Steve Scaringello. Villafane scored a pin in the second period to give Greater Lawrence the lead, and Victor Sosa backed him up at 189 pounds by pinning Rob English to extend the cushion to 34-23.
Going into the final two matches (215 pounds and heavyweight), Greater Lawrence simply had to avoid being pinned in both. Jason Orsine (215) was almost pinned twice by Peter Gill, but he persevered and managed to reverse both times.
Though he lost by major decision, Orsine locked up the title for Greater Lawrence (25-0). He collapsed on the mat from exhaustion after the match, but recovered in time to celebrate the team's championship.
"I knew all I had to do was not get pinned and we would win," Orsine said. "I did everything I could to make it happen."
He also made it exciting. Greater Lawrence coach Tony Sarkis was certainly on the edge of his seat.
"Are you kidding? I almost had a heart attack," Sarkis said, describing the moments when Orsine came close to getting pinned.
Franklin's Matt Sidebottom easily pinned Juan Olivio in the first period of the heavyweight match, making Orsine's great escapes more important.
Greater Lawrence took a 14-0 lead when Miguel Guzman won a technical decision over Joseph Alie at 103 pounds, Ray Diaz pinned Chris Hanson at 112, and Franchesco Ortiz took a decision over Garrett McNellage at 119.
In the hole early, Franklin fought back. The Panthers won the next three matches by decision, with Max Conti (125), Will Farrell (130), and Matt Bakalars (135) going the distance to cut the deficit to 14-11 (Bakalars won a technical decision in the third).
Greater Lawrence's Brian Rivera won a 15-11 decision over Cory Hosford at 140, but Franklin's Ryan Donovan pinned Isaac Sosa at the 1:11 mark of the first period to even the team score, 17-17.
Chris DelaRosa scored a technical decision over Jim Koshivas at 152 pounds to put Greater Lawrence ahead, but Franklin rebounded to take the lead for the first time when Nick Colace pinned Modesto Nina in the first period to win at 160. Franklin's only lead would prove to be short-lived, however, as the next match was Villafane's momentum-changing pin.
Division 3 -- Winchester defeated Southwick-Tolland, 52-21, in the MIAA Division 3 state final, capping a dream for the Sachems that began as soon as they lost in last year's finals.
The Sachems, hoping to erase the memories of their loss to Wayland last season, dominated from the opening bell. Connor Gregory kicked things off at 103 pounds by pinning Stephen Baker in just 21 seconds, and Mike Armstrong followed suit at 112, scoring a fall at 1:50 of the first period over Tom Despard.
Southwick-Tolland's Jacob Brown scored a decision at 119 pounds to make it 12-3, but Miguel Tirado put Winchester back in the driver's seat with a first-period pin of Alex Rivenburgh at 125.
At 135, Anthony Fuccillo secured a crucial victory for Winchester (31-0). Fuccillo nearly pinned Southwick's Anthony Spirito in the first period, but Spirito was saved by the bell. Fuccillo entered the second period trailing on points, 6-5, but scored a pair of early takedowns, then finished off Spirito by pinning him at the 1:27 mark. The fall gave Winchester a 24-9 lead, and the Sachems coasted from there.
"It was a crazy match," said Winchester coach Larry Trembley, noting the lack of technique. "It looked more like a dorm party or a frat house match more than anything, but we'll take it."
Eric Wilsterman pinned his opponent at 140 pounds in the first period to put Winchester ahead, 30-9. Southwick-Tolland won the next two matches by decision to close within 30-15, but Winchester senior Dan McHugh closed the door with a major decision at 160 pounds. McHugh's 19-8 win over Casey Davidson gave Winchester the 4 points it needed to secure the championship.
Connor McNamara (189 pounds), and Andy Carr (285) scored pinfall victories to close out the meet.
