RallyNorth.net

The seeds had Andrik Cruz primed for a third straight sectional final disappointment.

Cruz would have none of that. The Methuen High senior, wrestling at 145 pounds, made his third North championship try a winning one, heading up an area contingent of two champs and 15 places moving on to the Division 1 North championships in Bridgewater next weekend.

How do you spell dynasty, again?

In Commonwealth Conference wrestling, it's definitely spelled R-E-G-G-I-E-S as Greater Lawrence proved once again yesterday at Whittier Tech by winning its seventh straight CAC meet. The Reggies have also won eight consecutive CAC regular-season titles.

Methuen senior John Sughrue didn't get the match he would have preferred, but he had plenty of consolation yesterday at the Methuen Invitational.

Because he moved up a weight class to 130 pounds this year, there was no showdown with Salem star Trevor Dearden, but both Sughrue and Dearden came away big winners.

Methuen, trailing most of the meet, won the last five weight classes to defeat Shawsheen, 36-27. First-period pins by Bob Kelm (130) and unbeaten John Sughrue (135) gave the Rangers (19-2) the momentum they needed. Also, 112-pounder Eric Buonagurio had a key 10-6 decision over Ryan Ahearn, who placed at the Lowell Holiday Tournament. Methuen will try to defend its title at the Methuen Invitational Saturday.