All-State titles for Methuen's Franklin, Central's Cabrera
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READING — Technically, Methuen’s Darius Franklin already had an All-State wrestling championship under his belt, but he didn’t feel like he really earned it.
“He had me in a ball and chain and had my arm trapped, and I got lifted and ended up landing on the side of my head. Knocked me out cold,” Franklin said of his All-State finals match against Lowell’s Malik Settles last winter, in which he earned the title by injury default as a result of an illegal slam that left him concussed.
“I still think they shouldn’t have given me the title, he should have had it,” Franklin continued. “When I was in the hospital, my mom showed me the medal and I was like, ‘That’s not mine,’ I felt like I didn’t earn it myself.”
This time, there would be no such reservations.
A week after claiming his first Division 1 state title, Franklin dominated the field to repeat as All-State champion at 182-pounds, beating Cambridge’s Toru Goto in the final in a thrilling 5-4 double overtime victory a week after the two battled it out in the Division 1 state final.
That was a 3-1 Franklin win over the-then 45-0 Goto.
After Saturday’s win, Franklin said, “I’m happy I accomplished something I wanted to do, cleanly, without it being handed to me. So I’m proud of myself, happy that so many people came to support me and glad to take the title home.
“The match went better than the last time I wrestled Goto, Once again, he’s a phenomenal wrestler, I told him that after the match. I was like, you’re one helluva wrestler and wrestling you is tough.”
‘Amazing’ Cabrera win
Franklin was joined at the top of the podium by Central Catholic’s Carlos Cabrera, who beat Billerica’s Ryan Higgins 5-3 to win the heavyweight championship.
“This feels amazing,” Cabrera said after his match. “Because it’s all the best wrestlers in the state just showcasing their ability, and it feels good to come out on top.”
Both Franklin and Cabrera now enter the New England Championships undefeated, and they won’t be alone, as numerous other locals enjoyed successful outings to qualify for the next tournament.
Glynn, Perry 2nd
Central’s Tyler Glynn (106 pounds) and North Andover’s Jack Perry (126) placed second at their respective weight classes.
Glynn lost a tough 7-2 match to Melrose’s Hunter Adrian and Perry lost to Wayland phenom Ramazan Attasauov 12-2.
St. John’s Prep’s Zach Alexander of North Andover took fourth at 132 pounds, as did North Andover’s C.J. Cincotta at 152, Methuen’s Travis Manick at 195 and Lawrence’s Stanley Alberto at heavyweight.
Central’s Joey Sanchez beat Springfield Central’s Mahari Miller 7-0 to place fifth at 126, and North Andover’s Joseph Valentino beat Masconomet’s Liam McAveney 2-0 to place seventh at 120.
Central places 5th
Minnechaug won the team title, claiming two individual state championships and a runner-up to help collect 84.5 points. Billerica was runner up with 79 points, followed by Melrose (71), Wayland (67) and Central Catholic (66). North Andover tied for eighth (57) and Methuen finished 16th (46).
Game Statistics:
Mass. All-States
Team Scores (97 teams scored): 1. Minnechaug 84.5, 2. Billerica 79, 3. Melrose 71, 4. Wayland 67, 5. Central Catholic 66, 8. North Andover 57, 16. Methuen 46, 41. Lawrence 18, 60. Pentucket 8, 66. Whittier 6, 76. Georgetown-Ipswich 4, 76. Greater Lawrence 4
Winners and local New England qualifiers (top seven qualify):
106: 1. Hunter Adrian (Melrose), 2. Tyler Glynn (Central); 113: 1. Joe Ferri (Shawsheen); 120: Cole Wyman (Brockton), 7. Joseph Valentino (North Andover); 126: 1. Ramazan Attasauov (Wayland), 2. Jack Perry (North Andover), 5. Joe Sanchez (Central);
132: 1. Josh Lee (Burlington), 4. Zach Alexander (SJP); 138: 1. Pablo Ogata (Framingham); 145: 1. Dan Haverty (Woburn); 152: 1. Ryan Monteiro (Minnechaug), 4. C.J. Cincotta (North Andover); 160: 1. Ahmad Sharif (Putnam); 170: 1. Josh Bechen (Catholic Memorial);
182: 1. Darius Franklin (Methuen); 195: 1. Henri Behaeghel (Billerica), 4. Travis Manick (Methuen); 220: 1. Benton Whitley (Minnechaug); HVY: 1. Carlos Cabrera (Central), 4. Stanley Alberto (Lawrence)
