RallyNorth.net

There may be no family that believes that those who play together stay together more than the Riddingers of Pelham. Head wrestling coach Bob Riddinger, 45, has been coaching his two sons, juniors R.J. and Mark, for as long as he can remember, not only in wrestling, but youth hockey and baseball.

Whittier showed its best depth of the season and came away with the title at the 10-team Dan Gionet tournament in Pelham. The Wildcats didn't crown one champion, but they had eight placers, led by runners-up Garret Gadd (125) and Corey Chabuz (heavyweight).

Heavyweight Brian Nicoll put an exclamation point on an impressive statement made by the Timberlane wrestling team yesterday at the 54-team Lowell Holiday Tournament.

The Owls, who finished second last year by a point and a half, came back with a vengence to claim their third team crown in four years with 241 points, comfortably ahead of runners-up Concord, N.H., and Winchester, who tied with 210. Pinkerton (120) was sixth, Central Catholic (111) came in eighth and Salem, N.H. (102<1/2>) tied for 10th.

2006-07 record: 13-9

Returning starters (7): Billy Sullivan, Sr., 135; Rob LaRose, Sr., 215; Jake Corbin, Sr., 189; Mark Riddinger, Jr., 140; R.J. Riddinger, Jr., 145; Roger Allen, Jr., 119; Mike Perruccio, Soph., 112