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Salem Blue Devils Wrestling '07-'08

Wed, Dec 19, 2007 07:00 PM @ Salem
Team Final
Pinkerton 60
Salem 15
Salem Blue Devil's Vs. Pinkerton Astro's » Jarrod Thompson, Staff PhotographerMore photos

Astros crush Salem for historic win

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Wednesday, December, 19 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

SALEM | Pinkerton sophomore Ian Beck has probably never felt less upset after a loss then he did last night.

A New England qualifier at 140 pounds last year, Beck fell to Salem senior Corbin Decker at 160 pounds for the second time in two weeks, this time by a 4-1 decision. Disappointing, yes, but Beck couldn't help but look at how the rest of the team fared, and that was outstanding.

The Astros (5-0), for the first time in the history of the program, not only defeated the Blue Devils | they crushed them, 60-15.

Despite fielding a team loaded with freshmen and sophomores, Pinkerton won 11 of 14 matches, including seven by pin. It was a margin more than anyone expected.

"We're definitely pretty happy," said Beck. "I didn't think I'd be captain this year, much less captain of the first team to defeat Salem like this."

In addition to winning the matches it was supposed to, Pinkerton prevailed in the ones that seemed up for grabs.

At 140, for example, freshman Corey Beck began the meet by controlling Salem sophomore Dave Welch from start to finish, winning 14-7, and 112-pound freshman David Owens pinned impressive Salem freshman Devin Dearden at 112.

Finally, in the last match of the night, Pinkerton sophomore Colin Crowell scored two takedowns to decision Salem standout Alex Pittera, 4-2 at 135. A senior, Pittera, began the year with more than 100 wins and had pinned Crowell in the season-opening Salem Tournament.

"I wanted to beat him pretty bad after last time (getting pinned after leading 4-0)," said Crowell. "This just makes this (Pinkerton win) better. We thought it'd be a lot closer."

Winning by falls for the Astros, in addition to Owens, were sophomore Cam Jaworski (119), junior James Herlihy (130), sophomore Dillon Burke (145), sophomore Steve Lord (152), senior J.P. Zarba (189) and senior Justin Fairbanks (215).

Salem's only victories, other than by Decker, were first-period pins by Trevor Dearden (125) and heavyweight Ryan Stanton. All three Blue Devil winners are seniors. "What you saw tonight was a changing of the guard," said Salem coach Ryan Carr. "I told my guys that it was going to be rough if we got pinned, and they got seven of them. And they're young | they're not going away."

And does Carr believe Pinkerton is ready to challenge perennial Division 1 heavyweights Concord and Timberlane?

"No, not yet, because I think they (Timberlane and Concord) are too experienced," said Carr. "But they (Pinkerton) will make noise at state."

Pinkerton coach Ken Najem, meanwhile, is optimistic. "We have a good team and I think we're ready," said Najem. "We have a good group of sophomores.

"But we'll have to see how we do with Central (Catholic) this weekend and how some of our kids do in the Lowell Holiday Tournament (Dec. 28-29) first."

Pinkerton will host Timberlane Jan. 9.

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