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It's all Reggies in CAC, State Voke

Sunday, February, 03 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

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.

In addition, the Reggies also won the State Vocational Meet for the second straight year, compiling 263 points, far ahead of runner-up Shawsheen (211<1/2>). Whittier came in fourth (114).

"Yeh, it would be a shock if we didn't win," said 119-pound standout Franchesco Ortiz, who won the individual title at that weight for the third straight year. "We come here and just wrestle our best and expect it."

But, the defending Division 2 state champion Reggies, who have won 47 straight dual meets, have also tried other ways to stay motivated.

"We (with Chris DelaRosa) have a competition to see who can get the fastest pins," said Ortiz, who believes this year's Reggies team is even better than last year.

That contest went to Ortiz, who had an 11-second pin in the semifinals, three seconds faster than DelaRosa's pin in the semis. Both seniors had three pins on the day. DelaRosa, as well as 189-pound champion Victor Sosa, also won his third CAC crown. Sosa was named Outstanding Wrestler for the upper weights and had the most pins in the upper weights.

Overall, the Reggies had nine finalists and they picked up seven individual titles. Joining Ortiz, DelaRosa and Sosa with gold medals were Matt Buco (103), Miguel Guzman (112), Brian Rivera (145) Saul Orellana (135). All of the winners had pins in the finals.

Placing second for the Reggies were Wadscar Gomez (130) and Kyle Berube (160). Brian Nadeau (125) and Jason Orsini (215) settled for third and heavyweight Chris Sharpe came in fourth.

"It was a great team effort," said Greater Lawrence coach Tony Sarkis. "We placed in 12 of 14 weight classes and one of those we didn't was because of an injury."

Added Ortiz: "I think we're better because our upper weights are getting better and we can just dominate the lower weights."