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For the first time in recent memory, the Timberlane wrestling team didn't crown a champion at the Sanford Invitational, but the Owls used their depth to finish second behind Connecticut power Danbury, the defending New England champion.

Timberlane crowned three champions and placed in 12 events but it wasn't enough to overtake Connecticut power Danbury at the Redskin Invitational in Sanford, Maine.

Danbury, which was New England champion in 2017, surged to 243 points while the Owls came next in the 24-team field with 217.5. Timberlane's B team finished eighth.

Timberlane's depth overflowed at the Spartan Tournament in Sanford, Maine.

The Owls not only easily won the title with 288 points, by well over 100 points, but its B team finished fifth with 104.5. The Owls placed 11 wrestlers in the finals and came away with six champions.

Timberlane's wrestling team boasts a whopping 14 semifinalists after the first day of the Sanford Tournament and is in a commanding lead in the 18-team Maine tournament. Because of the weather, the Owls were the only non-Maine team to compete. 

 There was certainly nothing for the Timberlane wrestling team to complain about Saturday.

The Owls were not entirely satisfied with their runner-up performance at the Lowell Holidaty Tournament last month, so they took it out on the field at the Sanford Tournament.

With a young team, Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian wasn't sure how his team would respond to a pressure situation.

On Saturday, Chooljian found out in a positive way as the Owls rallied with four straight wins in the finals of the Sanford (Maine) Spartan Invitational to edge Connecticut power Danbury, 232 1/2-229 for the team title.

Salem was traveled to Sanford, Maine, and put a 10-1 beating on the hosts. The top four hitters in the order, Jordan Estevez (3), Matt Gioia (3), Josh Heil (4) and Darren Brown (3), combined for 13 hits. They also had seven runs and eight RBIs.

SANFORD, Maine — Once again, the Timberlane wrestling team completed a holiday sweep of two of the toughest tournaments in New England.
But it wasn’t easy.
The Owls, after a tough semifinal round, battled back in the final round yesterday to capture the Redskin Invitational in Sanford, Maine, for the third year in a row and fifth time in six years.
Timberlane, which won the Lowell Holiday Tournament six days earlier, finished with 221 points with Connecticut power Danbury second (188 1/2) in the 20-team field.
“We had a tough semifinal round, and lost some we should have won, but I was really proud of the way we came back in the consolation round,” said Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian. “Things weren’t going our way, and we were definitely the hunted, but I liked the way we battled back.”
Five wrestlers recovered from semifinal losses to finish third. They were Zach Bridson (103), Dave Clemens (135), Nick Lawrence (145), Eric Petrillo (171) and sophomore Ben Tammany (215). It was the best tournament performance yet for Tammany.
The Owls had three finalists, meanwhile, and each captured their weight classes. Cam Sullivan won his first major tournament at 125, recording a major decision in the finals, and Alex Smith (130) and heavyweight Brian Nicoll both followed their Lowell Holiday titles with crowns.
Smith also had a major decision in the finals and Nicoll claimed a 6-2 decision.
The schedule won’t get any easier for the Owls, who’ll be at the rugged Eastern States Classic next weekend.