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Pentucket tournament: Reggies surge past Lancers for crown

Friday, December, 28 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

It was a Braveheart evening yesterday at the Pentucket Tournament.

Despite resting five standout starters, Greater Lawrence charged into first place to win its second title in three years with 146 points, slipping past local rival and defending champion Lawrence (141<1/2>), which led heading into the final round.

Both teams make up the nucleus of the Braveheart Wrestling Club in Lawrence.

"These kids know each other and most of the ones who did well are the ones who have been working out with the club," said Greater Lawrence coach Tony Sarkis. "I've got to give my JV kids credit for scoring points and, of course, getting all pins in the finals helped."

Winning via pin in the championship matches for the defending Division 2 state champion Reggies were freshman Matt Buco (103), Miguel Guzman (112), Brian Nadeau (130) and Victor Sosa (215), the latter of whom is still hoping to get down to 189.

This was an opportunity to give the younger kids experience and most of them did a nice job," said Sarkis. "A kid like Joseph Pizzuto getting two pins at 125 was huge."

Highlighting the Greater Lawrence youngsters, of course, is the unbeaten Buco at 103. He had three pins on the day and has 11 on the season. His name was misspelled on the championship chart but, following a performance like yesterday, it probably won't be mistaken again.

"I've been wrestling for three years and it's paying off," said Buco, a Methuen resident who has trained under former Methuen great Dan Alicea. "I'm hoping to go undefeated for the year."

Thus far, Buco and Guzman are both still undefeated as are Franchesco Ortiz, Chris DelaRosa and Saul Orellana, the latter three of whom did not compete yesterday.

Lawrence took a 9<1/2>-point lead into the final round, but the Lancers could only crown one of two finalists and won only one of four matches in the consolation finals.

Coming in first for Lawrence was 145-pounder Aaron Blanco. He looked tremendous throughout the day, mixing an 11-0 major decision with three pins. He followed Elvis Garcia, who lost a 10-9 heartbreaking decision in the 140-pound final to Lexington's Marq Bittarelli.

Finishing third was sophomore Hugo Dominguez, who had a 13-6 major decision in the consolation finals. Settling for fourth were Jorge Aquino (103), Melvin Rivera (125) and heavyweight Pedro Cruz.

"We've got some work to do, but we're getting there," said Lawrence coach Rob Niceforo. "It was a good meet."

North Andover, which brought about half of its starting lineup, had one champion in 160-pounder Alex Smirnov, who sandwiched two decisions between two pins. Freshman Frank McCarthy was second at 119 and Garrett Alter had four pins while finishing third at 145.

For Lynnfield/North Reading, Brad Cataldo was runner-up at 189 and both C.J. Venuto (125) and Ryan Visconti (130) came in third. For Masconomet, Alex Jones (119) and Mike Krull (135) were both crowned champions while, for Timberlane's JV team, freshman Ben Tammany was an impressive winner at heavyweight.